Greetings and Happy Holidays OCP Gang!
I just received a care package from you guys. This was totally unexpected, but very much appreciated. I shared the contents with everyone I work with. I am continually amazed at the outpouring of support from the American public. You guys are the heroes and make me truly proud to call myself one of your countrymen. With the deployments going for more than a decade, it is amazing at how much support exists from such wonderful Americans. If you have never been on the receiving end of a gift from strangers, I have to tell you it is very touching. I keep forgetting how close Christmas is, but gifts like yours remind me of the spirit that is shared by our communities.
Thank you again and have a very Merry Christmas!
And, Happy New Year:)
Charlie

APPRECIATE UR KINDNESS during the HOLIDAYS!!!
NEVER easy being away from Family & Friends this time of year…You have helped to ease that burden.
Regards,
CEC(SCW) JERMYN

Today when the mail truck came in there was a lot of excitement at the receiving table. Thank you for the wonderful package that was you prepared and sent to me and the other soldiers in my unit. It is greatly appreciated and nice to know that someone is thinking of us while we are far from home during the holidays. It is like a little mini Christmas when we open our box and see the cool and interesting things that they hold.
Jesus Cano wanted to make sure I wrote his teacher. Jesus thanks for the note and even if you were not allowed to write funny things I thought it was still funny.
I attached a photo of some of the people in the unit, I'm the taller one in the center. Thank you again and Merry Christmas to everyone.
Very respectfully,
Brandon

To all of the OCP Gang in Joilet, Illinois, On behalf of myself and the 2,500 Soldiers in our deployed unit, we wanted to send you a short note to say Thank You for taking the time to send us all the wonderful Holiday cards as well as the fantastic Christmas Care Package.
It's great to feel the sincerity you created for us with your care package. For many us here, this is a 3rd, 4th, or 5th deployment and for some, our 3rd or 4th year away from our own families during the Thanksgiving & Christmas holidays so the fact that your team took the time to do something like this is truly appreciated and serves as a reminder for us that we have an amazing country that supports its Soldiers. Thank you for letting us know you care and know that it does help each and every Soldier here to reinforce their individual purpose as to why we are here. There were many cards within the package but as our Soldiers took just about all the Christmas cards, this is the only one I was able to get my hands on so if anyone else enclosed their email addresses I apologize for not responding with a thank you to all of them. The Soldiers really enjoy the Christmas cards and all the holiday artwork so they go pretty fast once the box is opened.
With gratitude,
Frank
Command Sergeant Major
160th Signal Brigade

Thank You so much for the care package, I received it today 12/17/14. I am in the United States Navy stationed aboard the USS Carl Vinson CVN 70. We have been out to sea for about 4 months now and still have a long ways to go. It’s an amazing feeling to receive these care packages and they are very useful. I was very excited about the personal hygiene lotions and snacks. That doesn’t only go for me, but for all the guys I work with as well. It’s easy to forget why we are out here.. but simple reminders make the days so much better.. especially during the holidays. I just wanted to say thanks again for everything.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
ANGELA

I would just like to personally thank you all for all the support you continue to give us as soldiers. During the holidays it becomes a low morale for us being away from our families but your care packages come with such love and motivation that it helps us get through the rough days. Myself along with a couple of other soldiers couldn't wait until Christmas to open our gifts so I decided to show you a picture of me and my appreciation. Thank you again and if I can do anything please let me know. I'm willing to send more pictures if you'd like.
Respectfully,
Tamara

I want to thank all of you in OCP for the package I received today. It is important to feel recognized, but best is to receive a surprise load of goodies. Know that what you sent has been shared with medics, nurses and providers in our TMC – to the great pleasure of us all.
All the best, and keep up the work you do,
Diane
21st CSH
Camp Arifjan

Thank you very much for the wonderful packageI I am truly grateful and it's nice knowing that people really appreciate and think about us while we are deployed. It can be very hard at time, specially around the holidays when everyone is spending time with loved ones. Again, thank you.
Cozy

Hi! There,
Greetings! I'm writing to first of all thank you for your support, prayers and all the things that you guys showered us with. Which made our mission/ deployment much easier and made us feel at home. This has been a great journey with you guys and we are forever grateful. We are on our way back to the states in the coming weeks and finally going back to our beloved country, family and fellow Americans.
We request that all future packages to be cease the soonest possible, we hope for you guys to continue supporting our soldiers who are still on deployment.
Thank you,
SPC ******, John

It was very nice to receive your package and the nice note that was enclosed. Also I would like to say thank you to all at Operation Care
Package and a special thanks to the students from Lincoln Way High School . I am on the USS STERETT and I can’t say how nice it is to receive any kind of mail from the States. The care packages, along with the letters you send let all fwd deployed military know that there are people out there like you, that support and care for them while they are in harms way. I can’t say enough about the items that you distributed in your care package. Every item was very thoughtful and will be distributed among 10 Sailors under my charge. They all thank you as well. In closing I want to again say thank you and it is your support on the home front that reminds us why we love and do this job. Have a fine Navy day and God bless you all.
(Enclosed is a picture of your proud Navy) We are the ship in the 2nd row from the left behind the Air Craft Carrier (Carl Vincent)
Very Respectfully,
GMC(SW/EXW) Christopher *********

JUST WANTED TO STOP BY AND SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO. I GOT TWO PACKAGES FROM YOU TODAY. THE FIRST THING I SAID WHEN OPENING IT IS "WOW!!
THIS IS FROM SOMEBODY THAT HAS BEEN IN BEFORE." IT WAS LITERALLY THE PERFECT PACKAGE. HEALTHY SNACKS, POUCHES, SOCKS, SHIRTS, BABYB WIPES, ENERGY MIX,
AND BATTERIES..... WELL DONE. YOUR GRACIOUSNESS IS TRULY COMMENDABLE.
THANK YOU AGAIN AND MYSELF AND THE MARINES OF 1ST BN 2ND MARINES WEAPONS COMPANY
ARE IN YOUR DEBT. IT'S AMERICANS LIKE YOU THAT KEEP THE MORALE UP IN THE ARMED SERVICES.
VERY RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
SGT DAVID S. *******

I wanted to let you know that I received the care package today and wow, thank you all for what you sent, it's awesome! Thank you all for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers as well all need it. Thank you for the note/card/paper with all the people who wrote thanking us and saying such nice things.
We are proud to serve for everyone back home!
Thanks again.
James

Good Afternoon; well it's afternoon here...I want to thank all of you and your organization for all of the support. I have been doing this for over 20 years and deployed 8 times to Iraq, Kuwait, and the entire Persian gulf coast region and packages like these are very motivating to our troops, especially our first time deployers who spend Christmas and New Year's 9,000 miles away from their families for the first time. If it wasn't for "Operation Care Package" our troopers would definitely be gloomy over the holidays; however, rest assured that we are still very mission oriented despite not being home for the holidays.
Please relay a message from me and
our unit the utmost gratitude that we have for your organization and your willingness to take the time to remember our troops. You're closing comment was that you thanked us from the bottom of your hearts; however, it is I who should thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the care and support we get back home.
Thank You very much!
v/r
JESUS

Thank you so much for the care package. I especially enjoyed the
letter as did all my personnel. We are a small band of 15 AF personnel out here and your care package instantly brightened everyone's day. You don't know how much coffee, creamer, sugar, beef jerky, beef slim jims and roll-ups mean to personnel so far away from home. There is no store you can run and buy this stuff from especially when it is 112 degrees outside. The little stores that we have are very expensive for AMN who has small incomes
and trying to support two households separated by thousands of miles of Ocean. A care package is just what they need to brighten what is a gloomy day in day out routine that starves them of home life. Many of these AMN will live in trailers in a 4 X 4 bedroom with 3 to 4 roommates sleeping on bunk beds for the next 6 months. The bathrooms are located in separate buildings that can be reached like if you were walking across the street to the neighbor's house. For many walking from living quarters to the Dining Facility is like walking across a NFL Football Stadium. So snacks come in
so handy to keep the spirits up.
Again thank you so much for such a big, big gift, thank you for being true Patriots and standing up for those that Defend America. Freedom isn't free - it is paid for by a blank check written by an AMN to the US Government, which can amount to owing their very lives.
You make us proud to do this type of service.
P.S. (You should have seen their eyes light up, like a child on Christmas
Day!)
V/r,
JONNATHAN C. *******

Dear Sir/ ma'am,
My name is PFC Anthony *****. Sorry I never had time to thank you for the package you sent early this year. I have been deployed here in Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan since January 2014. My deployment has been going well because of your support! I am now preparing to leave for home back in the US. I want to sincerely thank all the contributors of operation Care package for their generous contributions! May you continue with the good work please! The good knows how great you have been to the troops no matter if they write back or not! My special greetings and thanks to all the children who send us cards - your messages gave me huge morale support! Please let them know I love them and ask them to continue the good work! Also tell them to be very children! work hard at school and respect their parents! Also thank for me everyone who signed on the paper I was going through in the photo.
May God bless you all! Thank you so much once again!
Anthony
P.S I have attached photos of me and how happy I was when I opened my packages!

Team,
Just received the care package today me and my team are very thankful for the support that you and your team have been giving us. Thanks for all your hard work. We couldn't win the war with your support so thanks for everything you do to help us. Alpha 46th ASB.
-thanks

To whom it may concern;
Just wanted to drop a line to say thank you very much for the wonderful package I received. I was very surprised by the fact it was addressed directly to me, this made it that much more special.
V/r,
TSgt C******
303 ERQS/SME
Flight Medicine Clinic

Hello Debbie:
First off I would like to thank you for the care package you sent which I got today.
As in a way of saying thank you I am sending a copy of my Group second row far left ….Mr shaved head.
Thank you
TSgt Sam

Good Evening,
My team and I received care packages from your company and I wanted to thank you personally for everything. It is greatly appreciated and your company is outstanding. I do have a request though if possible. We have coworkers who are with a different unit from ourselves and they could really use care packages as well if possible.
Thank you again for all that you do for the troops. God Bless.
Kenneth ********
SGT(P), USA

Debbie Smothers,
Thank you for another box full of snacks and cards! We received another box from you just yesterday. Everyone here is really happy with all the stuff we just got. You sent us a flag with well over 100 signatures and some stories on it. This is something I am going to have to keep forever! I love that!
I have it hung up at work so everyone can see it, but it is going home with me, back to Missouri, when we all get out of here in October.
If there are any more things like that, I know some people here that are very jealous that I get to have that forever.
Just an update for you:
Spencer's mother is still doing well.
I really hope to hear from you again!
Thank you so much,
DOUGLAS ****

OCP Gang,
I just wanted to let you know that we received your care package today and it was quite a nice surprise! I unfortunately work in an environment that does not allow cameras or phones, so I cannot take a picture to share with you guys. It is such a nice and gracious gesture. We sincerely appreciate the kindness you and your organization provides to those of us deployed.
Thank you!
CW2 Anthony ******

Ms. Smothers and Ms. Rau,
Myself, and I believe a few of my other team members received the wonderful care packages from you yesterday. The contents are appreciated more than you know. It's good to know that there are still Americans out there who appreciate their soldiers deployed. Thank you from all of us on crew **, Guantanamo Bay Cuba.
ME3 Mario
U.S. Coast Guard Reserve

Operation Care Package family,
Thank you so much for the package we just received. It was the perfect mix of hygiene items and snacks for everybody. Also, thank you for the magazines, the reading material around here is gone through pretty quickly. We would like to share this message with you, you ladies and gentlemen, are AWESOME!!! We appreciate the support and are happy to serve a country that has genuine people such as yourselves. Take Care and have a great Summer!!!
V/r
TSgt R. Heath *******

Debbie,
Thank you for the wonderful and thoughtful care package! It felt great to actually receive mail. Its definitely a morale booster. Thank you!
V/R
ANIETRA

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you all doing well. I wanted to let you all know that your efforts to show love and support to us deployed do not fall on hard hearts. As I am sure you have heard getting mail no matter how big or small can turn a Soldiers days around more quickly then hot chow! When I got my package from the OCP gang I was beyond words. Your time, money, love and caring hearts go into each of these packages and I cannot thank you enough. My platoon and I shared the Spoils so they send their thanks as well.
Sending with this email my thanks and appreciation to you all!
James

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone. It is greatly appreciated. God bless.

Debbie,
First and foremost I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. My name is Derick ***** and I received your care package today; With everything going on in the world, that it is great to receive love tokens such as this and it means a lot. We realize that being in the Army of the greatest Country in the world is a privilege in itself and we are honored for the opportunity to defend such a great Nation.
Thanks again and God Bless you.

Debbie, Trisha, Fern, & DJ
Thanks so much for your care package! My unit received it several days ago, and we really enjoyed opening it and sharing all the great stuff you guys packed. It shows that you put a lot of thought into getting everything you could in that package, and I really appreciate it. We're located in western Afghanistan, on a base run by Italians and Spanish, so we don't get much of anything from home at the exchange out here, and we've really enjoyed all the things you sent, and reading your caring notes. Thanks so much!
Also, please pass our thanks on to everyone else who wrote us notes and contributed - I can't quite read all the names (I was never good with cursive), but let Ronda, Patty, Cassie, Janie, Brooke, that we said thanks! Hope you're all gearing up to enjoy the things that make summer awesome in the USA!
Respectfully,
CPT Kevin *******
FSB Arena, Herat

To everyone at Operation Care Package
Hello everyone, I just received a care package from your organization. I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart and let you all know that I truly appreciate it. I think it is a great thing you guys are doing, and it’s these little thing that we appreciate the most. Well again, I just want to say thanks for everything and especially the continued prayers. All of you will be in my prayers as well. Take care.
GM2(EXW/SW) *******, R.
Coastal Riverine Squadron 1

All of us here want to thank you for the care packages you put together for
us!
A few of us were able to get together for a photo to say thank you for the things that were sent out this way.
We have been busy out on the flight line maintaining these fighter jets, but we managed to get 6 different people who sent letters, with return address, a personal thank you back out to them, from us.
We look forward to hearing from you again, soon.
Spencer, received the New Testament and the nice message. He is incredibly thankful for your prayers.
All of us here will spend the next week devouring the snacks, and the
lifting gloves were a really great surprise! They all went fast and have
been put to use!
Please make sure that all who contribute are able to get our thanks. We
couldn't be happier with what we got from you all.
--TSgt Doug ******, USAF

Received your wonderful care package today, wanted to let you know it was (VERY) well received, many thanks for all you do.
Can't thank you enough for all the good tidings; it means more than you know.
V/R
Jeremiah
CECOM Avionics LAR

Good morning Debbie,
I just received the wonderful care package from your organization. We truly appreciate the box of goodies and personal hygiene products. It definitely brings a smile to our face knowing you take the time to put these care packages together for us Soldiers. Thank you so much for all the love and support!
V/R,
GARRICK

Hi there,
Sgt ****** here, on behalf of 3rd Squad Battle Company, 1-32 Infantry I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude. We received a wonderful package today from you and it could not have come at a better time. We recently moved bases and have not been receiving much mail. We were all very boosted when we got it. The morale levels were immediately better than before! Thank you for all that you do to show your support. Organizations like yours truly make this easier on us.
Thank you so very much.

Friends,
I just wanted to send a big thanks to all who had a hand in putting together the care packages. I just received my first one today and it put a smile on my face. The items were thoughtful and very useful. From the greeting cards, to the workout gloves, to the snacks...everything was fitting. Everyone gets excited when they come in the mail and sometimes we trade items between each other.
What you are doing for us is appreciated. We thank you!
Regards,
MAJ R. ****** and the 3D HRSC team

On behalf of all of the Handlers and dogs here at UAE I just want to pass on our gratitude for the package you sent. The packages go a long way in improving morale and really help to let us know that people back home care and support us. Thank you so much for being there for us and helping us through this deployment from both myself my friends and all of the puppies!!!
SSgt Mike ******

OCP Gang,
First of all I want to express my gratitude.
I just received a package from your organization and brought and smile to my face. I am sure that I am not the only one who got all excited when I opened the package.
Thanks for your support and thanks for having a great organization like yours.
Sincerely,
SPC *****, Washington

Debbie,
I just wanted to send you a quick note thanking you and everyone else for sending care package. It really helps keep us going out here. The support is really awesome that we get from people like you. A lot of times it's forgotten by the people out here, deployed, that there are people who still support us and what we do out here.
It's awesome that this package arrived when it did, we just had Jason Michael Carroll out here on the boat performing a concert for us, and he was very supportive of us and he just enjoyed playing for us out here. He even got to enjoy some of the things we do. The day he came out here, the ship was doing a swim call, and he was able to participate and jump off the ship into the water and swim around for a bit and get back on the boat.
Again, thank you for your support.
V/R
IT2 **** Michael
Combat Systems
USS George H. W. Bush

I want to apologize up front for the delayed response from the first package you sent and let you know that I really appreciate your continued support. Your boxes seem to come at just the right times.
It is funny how different it is to get mail out here versus mail at home. At home it is just bills and junk. Here it means that someone who cares about us is thinking about us enough to go out of their way to do something nice. It really doesn't matter what is inside. Every package is filled with a small piece of that Christmas morning curiosity and gets used by someone.
A little about me. I'm married, with 2 children. This is my third deployment all of which have been to Afghanistan. I'm stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. I am the Commander for a Forward Support Company. I would love to go into detail about all the great work my guys do out here but it would divulge sensitive information. I can tell you that we support over half of Regional Command - East with aerial delivery operations and that we conduct maintenance operations for 16 different units which keeps all of my guys busy.
Feel free to ask me anything you want. I spend more time than I would like at my computer and the correspondence is welcome.
Alex S. *****
CPT

Thank you all very much for the wonderful care package you sent us, and thank you for the notes which are very motivating and appreciative. Part of the reason I do my job as a Grunt is for people like you who truly realize what we do and don't take things or life for granted.
Semper Fidelis, Lance Corporal *****

Debbie, Trisha, Fern, and Dj,
On behalf of the 83rd ERQS, I would like express our heartfelt gratitude for the amazing care packages that your organization sent us. It really was like Christmas morning when all of us started opening the packages.
Everything that was enclosed was wonderful, and is being used to great extent. Our units job is Personal Recovery, in other words we pick up the wounded off the battlefield and rush them to medical facilities as fast as we can in our HH-60G helicopter. After a mission like that it meant more than you know to come back to a package, for some of the people here is has been the only package they have gotten since we deployed in February of this
year. Your packages really brightened out day and put a smile on
everyone's face, what you are doing truly is amazing.
Again thank you so much,
Lt Dan

I am the chaplain for the 330th Movement Control Battalion in Bagram
Afghanistan.
We received a package from you with all of the toiletries and snacks and wanted to say thank you. Our Soldiers greatly appreciate it and I wanted to let you know that it makes our deployment a lot nicer.
Thank you again.
Blessings,
Heather

Supporters,
As our troops are getting ready to redeploy back to our home stations, I would
like to thank all of you for your support to the 557th Expeditionary RED
HORSE Squadron during these past 6 months. Your packages and letters meant the
world to us and made "mail-call" always fun!
Thank you one again
Dan
V/r
DANIEL B. ******, MSgt, USAF

To everyone at operation care package,
Thank you so much for the care package! My team here appreciates it! It really brightens our day to see how much people care about us back home. The toliettress will be put to very good use and thank you for the movie, the book/magazine, and the goodies! After I send this email we are going to watch avatar, everyone loves this movie.
Thank you again! Happy Easter! God bless!
Brady

Thank you for the care package. It is much appreciated. I attached some photos of my guys and I.

I hope this email finds you well. LtCol BJ ******* here from Marine Expeditionary Brigade - Afghanistan (MEB-A) at Camp Leatherneck. On behalf of the C-4 (the logistics folks), I would like to express our heart-felt appreciation for the St. Patrick's Day care packages that you and your group sent. To tell you a little about us, MEB-A is the coalition force in charge of Regional Command (Southwest) in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. RC(SW) is made up primarily of U.S. Marines and British forces, but we also have units from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and our coalition partner nations of Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, UAE, Jordan, and Tonga. The C-4 (that's us) works directly for the Marine General in charge of RC(SW) and we are responsible for all logistics actions to include transportation, supply, food, ammunition, fuel, maintenance, medical, and a host of others. My section within the C-4 is the Marine Deployment and Distribution Operations Center (MDDOC) and we oversee the movement of all equipment and people in and out of RC(SW). I have a team of 40 made up of mostly junior Marines who ensure planes and trucks move the right equipment and people on time. Most of us are out of Camp Pendleton, California, but we have others from other U.S. and overseas bases.
As you can probably imagine, this is a busy time for us. Sometimes we get so focused on the mission that we forget why we do what we do. It's the small but important things like receiving care packages that remind us that you and other fine Americans like you are the reason we serve. It is a true honor. But, the generosity that you have shown goes beyond just the U.S. forces here. I was sharing some thin mint Girl Scout cookies (my favorite!) from one of your care packages during a meeting yesterday. It was one of our regular meetings where we go over weekly logistics support provided to all of the forces operating in RC(SW). In addition to the mostly Marine team, there were U.S. Army soldiers, an Air Force pilot, three British officers (1 Royal Marine, 1 Royal Navy, and 1 Royal Air Force), a Danish soldier, a Georgian officer, and four U.S. DoD civilians (all former military). I realized that every one of them was serving for his or her countrymen as well as ours. So, your generosity and thoughtfulness has had global impact. That's pretty cool!
I've attached a picture of the crew from MEB-A C-4 who are enjoying your care packages. From the men and women of the C-4, thank you for your thoughtful gesture and continued support. Much love and hugs all around.
Semper fidelis ,
SLtCol BJ ****** USMC

Hello! My name is Petty Officer Hunter ********. I am writing you all
today to thank you and everyone at Operation Care Package for you kind
and generous gift. It really means a lot to the guys and me when we
receive gifts from strangers- it gives us a sense that what we do is
appreciated.
Just a little bit about us: We are on USS Philippine Sea, a guided
missile cruiser. We are currently deployed into the Persian Gulf in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom with USS George HW Bush. Our
primary role out here as a ship is to provide air security for the Bush
launching aircraft. As a division, we are in charge of all off ship
communications.
Once again, we thank you for the kindness you have showed.
God bless,
IT2(SW) Hunter

HI!!
I am SGT Borrero Celia. I come from Puerto Rico at 941st QM Co. My home station is Bagram, Afghanistan. I would like to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your support and love. God bless America!!!! And you as well!

Thank you OCP gang! I received my care package and I am great full for all the items especially the letter with notes of thanks and encouragement, and especially the note saying for us to take care of our butts and get ours home. May God bless you all from Fob Gamberi Afghanistan.
Spc ****Garcia

I received your package and I just want to say thank you! We can't thank you all enough for all your support. Please send our thanks to your team and let them know that the soldiers of Delta Company 1-75 CAV, 101st Airborne Infantry really appreciate all of your hard work and commitment to supporting us troops out here. We can't thank you all enough. God Bless You and your team!
V/r,
SPC ****** , Anna

All,
We just received our care package. Thanks so much. The Soldiers here really appreciate your kind words on the note as well as the items. We continue to provide safety and security to those Soldiers exiting Afghanistan and will until the mission is over. Again we really appreciate just knowing we are supported back home. Please have an outstanding Easter.. Thanks again…..
V/R
CPT Thomas ******
Black Sea Area Support Team
“Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed.
God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that,
but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me.
That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave”
Thomas J. Jackson

Hello Operation Care Package,
I would like to thank you all for the care package that was sent.
It was appreciated and all of the items were used between the troops and myself here. It felt great receiving items that were helpful and useful. The support from everyone back home on what we do and for us is wonderful.
Thanks again and have a blessed day.
MSgt *******

Dear everyone at Operation Care package,
I am HM2(FMF) ***. I am currently deployed to Afghanistan and received a care package from you today. The thought and time it takes for you to get your donations to send to us means a lot. I myself am very appreciative of the people who took the time to help put them together. Everything in it is just a little bit of home for us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for it.
Sincerely, Doc

Dear OCP gang,
hello I am HN *** I am a navy corpsman serving with marines, my platoon just got one of your care packages today and we wanted to say thank you. The items you guys include are very essential to our morale and operational readiness, from phone cards to call home to socks we dearly need. thank you so much!
HN ***, Nathaniel
1st battalion 7th marines
Baker co. 1st plt

I received a care package from you and I wanted to say thank you very much! It's a great feeling knowing I have people back state side that genuinely care, and are willing to take the time out of their day to make life a little easier for my buddies and I here in Afghanistan. I hope you know, it never goes unnoticed.
Cpl. Matt ******
1/7 H&S Scout Sniper Platoon

Hello,
My name is James *****. I'm a SSG in the Army, currently downrange in Afghanistan. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who took the time to put together the care package that I received in the mail today. Your thoughts and efforts are greatly appreciated. I have hung the letter you gave me on my wall and will put everything that you sent to good use. Please pass my thanks along to everyone who helped.
V/r,
JAMES A. *****

To the good people of Joliet, Illinois,
I would first like to thank each of you who so selfishly spent your St. Patrick’s Day evening compiling care packages for the members of my platoon. This was my fifth year in a row missing our wonderful holiday and I personally understand the sacrifice being as it is certainly one of my favorite days of the year.
I am sure that you often spend a great deal of your personal time supporting the men and women in the armed forces, so please allow me to reciprocate by telling you a little about myself.
I am a twenty nine year old Sergeant in the Marine Corps serving in a Scout Sniper Platoon. My job is to train my Marines to be hunters that move silently on the battlefield and observe the enemy in their own backyards. I graduated from Texas Tech University before enlisting in the Marines in 2009 with a degree in History and Philosophy. Currently, I attend Northeastern University’s Graduate Business School online and hope to attend law school upon the end of my service.
Over the years of combat I have learned that the most powerful weapon an individual can possess on or off the battlefield is a sharp, well-educated mind. The ability to critically think in extreme circumstances, at times without food, water or sleep, will not only keep you alive, but it will allow you to thrive in the face of adversity. If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be to take every class seriously because you never know when you might need to apply that knowledge later on in life. For instance, I always said that I would never need to know how to do calculus in real life. Then I became a sniper, and as a sniper we must be able to take the cosine of angles to make challenging shots. The point is, we never know what we really want to be in life or what will come in handy one day, so please learn everything you can so that one day you too may outsmart your enemies.
Very Respectfully,
Sgt Louis

Hey OCP gang,
You recently sent me a care package. It was better than perfect. It raised my spirits and reminded me of what I was fighting for. It contained a painting from a 3 year old from Michigan named Cooper. If you have this kid's parent's email, I'd love to write to the little guy. I taped the painting up above my rack and look at it every day.
Everything was just so generous and more than what I deserved. Nonetheless, I am eternally grateful to your staff and everyone that donated. Big shout out to a fellow brother in arms, Bud, for thinking of me and wanting to send the care package.
You are all doing wonderful things. I don’t think you truly grasp the severity of your mission and how it affects us troops and how much it raises our spirits. Continue the amazing work and once again, thank you for everything.
R/S
Timothy S

Good Day to you!
First off I just wanted to say thank you so much for the time and materials put into this care package! I noticed lifting gloves and not just one pair but around 6 pair!? I didn't get to count them because as soon as I said I got lifting gl... they were gone and I got my pair!
Thank you so much for the letter, and I am so glad to hear about you enjoying the freedoms
provided! It is so nice to be appreciated as well! I have been gone for almost 7 years between being sent to New Mexico for 6 years, deployed 4 times, and I am now stationed in Japan for the next 3 years but currently deployed to the middle east again. It is supposed to hit 150+ degrees here and this is the hottest place in the AOR. The level of danger is very low
here but it's always nice to have the various sacrifices made by the
military are appreciated. Being away from home is as big a sacrifice as being shot at in my opinion as I have experienced both in various locations.
I have lost loved ones to include a nephew the night I left for Iraq. I couldn't be home for my family and had to hear about it through the sobs of my brother. I am thankful for a lot of the experiences the military has provided but it all comes with a cost. I just wanted to say thank you so much for the care package! It means a lot to have the letter and the care
package.
Missing home but pushing through one day at a time.
Thanks again.
V/r,
*****Jordan, SSgt, USAF

Debbie, Fern, DJ, Trisha,
I just wanted to write a quick thank you letter and to let your know I received the amazing care package. My soldiers and I all enjoyed the things inside. attached is a picture of me with the care package. Thank you again
V/R SGT John****** Led By Love Of Country

Thank you so much for my package. I'm not sure if y'all took my requests for consideration but I love everything in it! Even my maroon colored beanie! My Marines and I will definitely enjoy all of the stuff in this box and especially towards the end. I'm not sure who the little kid Carley is who wrote me a little card but I hope one day, either here on earth or in Heaven
I can thank her.
Again thank you for the package and I hope I meet all of
you that do this for the troops one day.....
V/R,
Sgt ******, Bradley J.

Hi Debbie, My name is Msgt Robert ********, serving with the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing( 143rd mxs) Ali Al Salem AB Kuwait. It is with great honor that I express my sincere gratitude for the great Care package from OCP!!.The men really enjoyed the goodies and letters.
We really appreciate all that you do!! I will send some pictures of the men(boys).
Your FRIEND Bob

My name is 1SG *****, Nagib. I am the Company 1SG for Charlie Company 2BSTB 2BDE 1CAV Division. We are currently winding down our nine month deployment in Afghanistan. For the last five months your organization has been sending care packages to my Soldiers and fellow NCO's.
I wanted to take this time to thank each and everyone of you for your hard work and dedication. Every package that was received here was opened and enjoyed with the utmost gratitude. Thank you all for your continued support and may GOD bless you.
1SG ******, Nagib

Dear Debbie, my name is Christopher ****** and I recently signed up to receive care packages from you and your group.
I just received your package and it was very appreciated by me and my division. I took the box and walked from shop to shop on the ship letting them take whatever they wanted and by the time I went through all ten shops, I had nothing left!!
I just want to thank you and let you know you and your team made mine and many others' day.
Thank you again!!!

Good Morning All,
My name is Ashley, I am serving in Afghanistan with my fellow Navy Corpsman, and our Psychologist LT ****, Jesse. He received a box from your organization with pillow cases and Valentines chocolate from the kids.
We wanted to thank you for the support organizations like yours provide to units out here. It is truly amazing the time and effort you put into making
a soldier's, sailor's, or marine's life a little more brighter, with a care package. It is nice to know that Americans still know were out here and support us.
Once again thank you, God Bless.
Respectfully,
HM2(FMF) *******, Ashley B

Dear Debbie,
On behalf of B Co, 223rd MI BN out of Mountain View, we thank you so much for the care packages that you have provided for our team here in Afghanistan. It means a lot to us over here to know that the people back home are thinking of us.
And while the holiday season will never be the same in Afghanistan as it is at home, your packages, letters and thoughtfulness have truly helped us to feel the holiday spirit.
We appreciate everything Operations Care Package does for us and our families back home. Please extend our thanks to all the families and friends that volunteered.
We are proud and honored to serve our great nation.
V/r
Marco

Thank you so much for the care package I really appreciate it and it makes me feel good knowing we have a lot of support. You guys are awesome and made my day seeing this package, I'll make sure I share with my troops and again thank you so much.

Hi Debbie my name is RP2 Michael ******
A package that you sent to a service member was redirected to me at the Camp Leatherneck Chapel, where I am the Chapel Manager. I have to say that I have gone through a lot of packages with all the time I have spent in Iraq and now here in Afghanistan,
and I have to say the letter you wrote was one of the best and definitely most detailed letters I have seen. I am sorry to hear about your friend and co founder, I know that happened back at Thanksgiving but the Chaplains here got together and said a prayer for Pat and all her friends and family.
I am
glad that I came across your package because I am from, and going back to, New Baden, Illinois when my time here is done and enjoy hearing from people who are close to where I am from. I know that I was not the intended person for the package, but if you would like pictures of myself and all the Marines and Sailors that your package impacted, I would be glad to send them to you.
I travel around RC(SW), the southwest area of Afghanistan, with the Chaplain often during the week in order to help raise morale and so he can perform religious services, but am here most of the time on the weekends for sure.
We take any items that we receive here and pass them out around Camp Leatherneck and the surrounding areas where there are service members, regardless of their branch. I want to personally thank you, Trish, Fern, and DJ for all that you do for everyone of us in order to make sure that we never feel forgotten.
Thank you for all the time and personal sacrifices
you all make in order to put a smile on a strangers face. Words cannot express how grateful we all are for you and everyone in your organization.
Very Respectfully
RP2(FMF) Michael ******

This is SGT ***** from COP HAIRATAN AFGHANISTAN!
I received my package from you all today and wanted to thank you. I wanted to thank Danielle, the RHS, and Dylan. Hello and thanks for what you are doing for us down here.
I am married for ten years, I have three kids, two girls which are 12 and 11. my son is 10 years old. I have a pitbull pup and his name is buddy and he is two months old. I got him before I left. I live in *** New Mexico. I am originally from El Paso but I like the space and the country life.
I love cars and have a 1986 Chevy El Camino on 22" rims. I also have two other cars. I am a die hard steelers fan of course! I am so upset they didnt make the playoffs. I listen to all sorts of music because I like to mix with my son on the computer. My brother in law is a DJ and I grew up around clubs so thats my pleasure. I am more into hip hop and mexican music. Biggie is my favorite rapper and a lot of mixtapes are played when I am cruising around.
I am a Food Service Manager in the army and I make sure the soldiers get fed right and make sure my soldiers cook the food right and on time and everything is sanitary. I have been in for 6 years now and I love every day of it. I have been to Iraq in 2009/2010. Came to Afghanistan in 2011/2012 and I am here again for 2013/2014. I am 31 years old and my birthday is Feb 2.
Thanks again

Yesterday, I was a lucky recipient of a holiday care package from you (your organization). The packet provided many nice items, but I really liked anti-aging cream to use for my skin care since the winter here at FOB Lightning is brutally cold and tough on exposed skin. Thank you so much for thinking of us here in Afghanistan.
Respectfully,
Kim ******

Dear Friends,
My unit recently received a shipment of care packages full of snacks (or "lickies and chewies", as we call them) and letters that included your e-mails.
So, thank you!!!
Thank you for providing us a way to contact you!
Thank you for the time and effort you put in to show how much you care!
Thank you for continuing to show your support after all this time!
Although I cannot say much about the who/what/where/when/why/how of our organization, I can tell you that each and every one of us is grateful for your individual and collective support. Your thoughts, prayers, and love make what we do possible; and your patriotism makes it all worthwhile. Without your support and trust, we could not fulfill our obligations to you, our great nation, and our international/coalition partners. So, thank you for your vital role in our mission success!
I hope each of you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas or just enjoyed taking in the Winter Holiday season. And I wish for you and yours a very healthy and happy new year! May 2014 be your best year yet!
On behalf of hundreds of fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Civil Servants, and Contractors, we are gratefully and respectfully yours.
Sincerely,
Ed

On behalf of the 543rd Quartermaster Company Family here in Fob Shindand, Afghanistan, I would like to thank you guys for the awesome care packages we received on Christmas. We really appreciate what you guys do for the troops.
Thank you and Happy New Year!
Attached are photos we took with the care packages.
V/R
SPC ******, Yvette

On behalf of the crew of the USS SIROCCO we would like to send our thanks and that it really means a lot to us to receive care packages like this. Thank you once again and just know we do this for you guys.
Very Respectfully,
BMC Justin *****
USS SIROCCO

It said "hygiene and non perishable food", but it was a pool table. Ya got me good ;-)
I got a Christmas present after all :-)

FIRST AND FOREMOST, THANK YOU!!!!
Greetings and salutations from sunny Bahrain !!
I am Lieutenant Dave ******, the USS Typhoons Chief Engineer. I have been in the navy for eighteen and a half years and have been married for twelve and a half. My wife and four children live at our home in VA. I will be over here for somewhere between 16 and 20 months on an “unaccompanied” tour. To say the separation is difficult might possibly be the largest understatement ever. With that said, your packages made an “older” sailor smile during a holiday season that I had seen as dreary. Quite honestly, your care packages, and the smiles and laughter they brought to my men were the shining star in my holiday season this year.
From all of us over here on the USS Typhoon, thank you so much for what you do. If you ever had any doubt that what you do through Operation Care Packages was appreciated, lay it to rest, for the *** men onboard our little patrol craft, your stockings and goodies made it a special “holiday” season. Thank you so much and may God bless you and yours as he blesses us and ours.
With respect and adoration,
LT Dave *******
USS Typhoon

Thank you for all that you did this Christmas. I am a Marine currently located in Okinawa, Japan. When Christmas came around, none of us were expecting much. Maybe one or two of us would get a package in the mail, but we were all surprised to find that we each had a care package waiting for us. It definitely brightened up my Christmas mood, as well as my platoons. We all got great gifts in them as well.
I want to thank you on behalf on everyone in my platoon. It was a pleasant surprise, and its nice to see that we really aren't forgotten. Happy holidays and thank you again.

OCP Gang,
The USS Typhoon received your care packages yesterday. Even though it was a few days after Christmas by the time the mail caught up with us, your stockings and treats were well received by our crew. Spending the holiday season away from family can be challenging, but with organizations like OCP and the caring people that devote time and energy into remembering our forward deployed Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen, it makes it a little easier.
Thank you for bringing a smile to our faces!
P.S. I have attached a few pictures, one of which is our Engineers working on an engine and enjoying the candy canes OCP sent!
V/R,
Herb

Hello,
My name is Chief Warrant Officer Charles *****. I am currently deployed to a remote location in Jordan. I would like to thank you for the wonderful holiday Christmas package I received. It truly was a surprise and It made my Christmas day. As soldiers, we always hear "Thanks for everything you do". Well I owe you a thanks for this wonderful surprise. To everyone in your organization I say Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
V/R
Charles *****

Hi,
I am the chaplain for the 330th Movement Control Battalion currently deployed in Afghanistan. We received your packages and all of your goodies for the holidays and on behalf of all of the Soldiers, I want to thank you for your thoughtfulness and for all of your support. It helped to make the holidays and being away from family and friend much nicer and as enjoyable as it can be in this setting. We are grateful and just wanted to let you
know that we appreciate your support.
Wishing you a happy and healthy new year.
Many Blessings,
CH (CPT) Heather *****

Hi Debbie and Merry Christmas.
My Soldiers and I would like to thank you and your staff for the wonderful care packages that you supplied us with. We put all to good use and thanks to you and your team for your continuous support.
I also wanted to give you and your team notice that our unit is departing Afghanistan. Thanks for all you have done to support our unit Soldiers in Afghanistan and uplifting our Spirits while we are so far from home. Your packages made us feel at home each time we received them. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
SFC Jimmy *******

Hello,
I am a Marine currently deployed in Okinawa Japan. Today I received a package from you guys (as did the rest of my company) and I wanted to say that I am very humbled and thankful for your guys' support. I'm sure you have many volunteers helping put these packages together, and I hope they all know how much these kind gestures mean.
I hope you all have had a great Christmas and have a happy new year!

To whom it may concern,
On behalf of my platoon, AAV Co. 2nd platoon currently in Okinawa, thank you so much for all the care packages! Morale has been low due to not being home with family during the holidays, and when we all received a care package from your organization, spirits were lifted! Your services are very much appreciated!
PVT. *****, David

I would like to thank Operation Care Packages and everyone that helped put these packages together. A special thanks to Benjamin Krause, and I was rooting for the Cardinals not Boston lol To Sgt & Mrs. Frank Signor USMC retired, thank you and I used to be in the Navy before I joined the Army, so in the spirit of rivialary Go Navy. To Annonymus Trainee, that was the best Christmas Joke I have ever heard, and now I know the reason for Santa being so large because "he has 364 days to relax, and 1 hr to work". And to everyone else that helped, thank you for what you do. It makes me proud to serve a country this great!!!

Dear Operation Care Package,
I would like to personally thank you for all of the packages sent to AAV Co. in Okinawa Japan. Because of your organization, every Marine got at least a little taste of home. I know of several Marines that this was the only thing they received during the holiday season. As a mail Rep, you made my job very difficult but it was well worth the trouble. I know love and thought went into each package, and I challenge you to keep up your amazing work.
From those of us on the rock,
Thank you.
Lcpl.*******, David

Hello Debbie,
I received a package today and I just wanted to say thank you for all the care and love you put into it. I love reading the handwritten notes, and it makes me so proud of what I am doing here overseas. As a soldier, I feel my service here helps those back home, and I appreciate everything you all do to support us. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. ******

Hi,
Today our office received a care package from your organization, and we would like to send a HUGE thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It's so nice knowing that we (the troops) have your support and that we are in your thoughts. Also please give a BIG hug to the little cuties in the picture, they definitely put a smile on our faces! Thank you all again!!
TIFFANY L. ****, TSgt, USAF

Debbie, Pat and the OCP Gang,
I received the package today you guys sent and I'm overwhelmed with all of the items in the box. Many of the items were things I have haven't been able to get since I got here. I really appreciate all of the support you show us over here. God bless you all and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
CW2 Clayton ******

Dear Debbie, Trisha, and all the volunteers at OCP,
As a retired military officer on my second deployment as a civilian supporting our troops, I wanted to let you know how much it means to the soldiers and sailors in our unit to receive your packages. I realize that the troops always have the best of intentions of writing you, but sometimes get caught up in the mission at hand, so I wanted to offer my sincere thanks on behalf of all of the soldiers and sailors in our unit for your dedication and support!
Words are insufficient to describe the excitement in the unit when your packages arrive, as they are always packed full of things that the troops need and love. Especially during this holiday period, your packages are a special treat from home for those troops that might not get anything else. Please know that your efforts are sincerely appreciated!
Best wishes,
John

Debbie,
Thank you very much for the package. It came just in time to lift my down spirit up. Merry xmas and a very nice new year eve for you and your family.
v/r
Guido

Debbie,
I received your package, and I want you to know how much I appreciate it. With being away from home at Christmas and sharing this holiday season with my military family, it is nice to open up a care package. I hope you and all of your family friends have a safe holiday season. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thanks,
SFC ****, Allen

My name is SGT CURRAN. I just received another care package from you with stocking, cards, food and hygiene supplies. I cannot express my gratitude in words. I even got a Christmas present and cards with scriptures on it!!!
THANKS TO YOU AND EVERYBODY WHO HELPED MAKE MY CHRISTMAS AND SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY WORTH IT!!! YOU ROCK!!!!
THANK YOU TOO THE SILIC FAMILY!!! YOU MAKE MY TIME HERE SO MUCH BETTER WITH THESE GIFTS FROM HOME I RECEIVED IN THIS AMAZING CARE PACKAGE!!!!
GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP US ALL IN YOUR PRAYERS PLEASE.

Wow, thanks a lot from all the soldiers, we appreciate you guys so much. I hadn't received a box in a minute, but I was happy that my soldiers were receiving them, but then my name was called and I acted like a kid lol.
Thanks for making my day here in Afghanistan, it's an awesome feeling to get something from anyone here and these acts of kindness that your team has done and continue to do has boosted the morale of soldiers across the Battlefield.
Thank you and GOD BLESS.
MSG *******

All those involved with OCP,
Thank you so very much for all that you wrote and sent in the care package. The contents were distributed among my platoon and will be enjoyed. Thank you for your support and all you do behind the lines for those of us out here.
V/R
SPC *****, EVAN

Thanks to everyone at Operation Care Package! I just received a box of cards and goodies today from you, its pretty cool that it arrived on the 24th just in time for Christmas.
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you for your support and remembering us! It means a lot!
SFC Bowman

To: The people who volunteer their time at Operation Care Package
We are very grateful for the care packages that we received in the past
several weeks. Some of my Soldiers do not receive mail often, so it's a great morale boost when they see that they received mail. I appreciate the effort that you went to in order to get us these packages.
I appreciate the support of Americans like you and I am proud to serve!
-Davis
Strength and Respect!

Greetings from FOB Apache, Afghanistan!
My shop just received quite a few boxes from your organization, and we cannot thank you enough! Some of us never receive mail, and getting mail from caring Americans who don't even know us, is an amazing feeling. Thank you all for what you do, and have been doing for 10 years. Without caring people like you, some of us here would feel unappreciated, but you never let
that happen!
Thank you for everything you do for us!
MSG *****, Joseph

Season's Greetings from Afghanistan Radiology,
Thank you so much for your generous gifts and encouragement. We are so proud to serve you and our country. It means so much to us that you are thinking of us so many miles away. May you all have a happy holiday season.
Heathe Craig Joint Theater Hospital
Team Radiology

Hello! I received a care package that your organization sent and I just wanted to say Thank You for sending it! We really appreciate all you do for us!
Julia *****

Ladies and Gentlemen of the OCP crew,
I am the 1SG of a Company forward deployed this year, and for many of my Soldiers, this is their first deployment and their first time away from family over the holidays, for me its my 5th.
I would like to say thank you on behalf of my Soldiers for the time energy and money spent from each of you as you packed up and shipped out 75 packages to my Soldiers. I know that is just a drop in the bucket for what you all do for the military as a whole, but you made many men smile today as they opened their care packages, which is hard to do, trust me as their leader I know!!! lol
Thank you again so much for what you do, it is very much appreciated by so many. Its good to know there are people like you watching over our backs and thinking about us while we do what we do. I hope you all have a very good holiday season. God Bless.
David

Thank you very much for the stockings. We are giving them out Christmas day .
It will be a great surprise.. It will make their day.
Joanne
Army Support Activity (ASA)
MWR Director

Received the care package today and wanted to say a big thank you to everyone.. We will get them past out to everyone.
Merry Christmas ... cant wait to get home..
Thank you,
SGT Michele ******

I just received your care package today; I immediately brought it to my platoon to share, and things started disappearing from it pretty quickly. We are all so grateful for your support. You are the reason we do what we do. Speaking for myself, though, I can't wait to get back to Chicago and go to Lollapalooza this summer!
If you'd like, I could pass your information along to my replacement so he can let you know we have all made it back home safe. Thanks again.
With gratitude,
1LT Charles *****

Thank you all at OCP for what you are doing. I am in the USAF. My younger brother is a Marine and my older brother is a Soldier. We have all deployed and understand what it is to get mail/packages from back home. It truly is an amazing feeling. And when it comes from people you don't even know--someone who is simply trying to make your life a little better--it is
truly awesome.
So thank you very much for what you have done for all the military personnel over the last 10 years! What an amazing accomplishment and an amazing group of people you really are.
SSgt *****, USAF

Hello all,
I would like to say thanks for taking the time out to send myself and Soldiers care packages. The packages really help to build morale and the Soldiers really enjoy mail call. We really do appreciate your time and efforts, again thanks from the entire 23rd Ordnance Company at Camp
Leatherneck, Afghanistan..."First in Last out".
SFC T. *********

Hey there everyone!
I just wanted to take a moment to recognize your generosity and let you know how grateful my soldiers were to receive the care packages you sent us. We are 3rd PLT from Bull Troop, here in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Many of my soldiers are young and don't get much mail, so it is always a treat for them when individuals such as yourselves go through the trouble to take care of us. Thanks so much for everything you do. Take care and have a wonderful holiday season!
Sincerely,
1LT Dustin ******
3rd Platoon Leader

Team, I received my first package today. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! This filled my heart with joy and most important, faith. Faith on the people of the United States. Thanks again and please let me know if I ever can do anything for any of you.
Francisco

I just received your care package today; I immediately brought it to my platoon to share, and things started disappearing from it pretty quickly. We are all so grateful for your support. You are the reason we do what we do. Speaking for myself, though, I can't wait to get back to Chicago and go to Lollapalooza this summer!
If you'd like, I could pass your information along to my replacement so he can let you know we have all made it back home safe. Thanks again.
With gratitude,
1LT Charles *****

Thank you so much for the packages!!!! They made it on time and im very grateful.
One of the packages had a wallet. Let me tell you a little story about the wallet. A long time ago I bought a wallet, December 2007. I usually don’t use wallets, but I bought it to have something to put inside. Well, before the deployment I was going to buy another one because the old one is ripped and is in need of a replacement. You would not believe the happiness that my heart felt when I saw the wallet inside the package. God is telling me, do not worry, for I have given you nice people that will take care of you.
This wallet means the world to me because nobody knew that I needed one. You all have made my Christmas and I want to thank you for that.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a Happy New Year!!!!
Francisco J ******

Thanks to everyone at Operation Care Package! I just received a box of cards and goodies today from you, its pretty cool that it arrived on the 24th just in time for Christmas.
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you for your support and remembering us! It means a lot!
SFC Bowman

All those involved with OCP,
Thank you so very much for all that you wrote and sent in the care package. The contents were distributed among my platoon and will be enjoyed. Thank you for your support and all you do behind the lines for those of us out here.
V/R
SPC *****, EVAN

Thank you very much for the stockings. We are giving them out Christmas day .
It will be a great surprise.. It will make their day.
Joanne
Army Support Activity (ASA)

MWR Director

Dear Debbie, Trisha, and all the volunteers at OCP,
As a retired military officer on my second deployment as a civilian supporting our troops, I wanted to let you know how much it means to the soldiers and sailors in our unit to receive your packages. I realize that the troops always have the best of intentions of writing you, but sometimes get caught up in the mission at hand, so I wanted to offer my sincere thanks on behalf of all of the soldiers and sailors in our unit for your dedication and support!
Words are insufficient to describe the excitement in the unit when your packages arrive, as they are always packed full of things that the troops need and love. Especially during this holiday period, your packages are a special treat from home for those troops that might not get anything else. Please know that your efforts are sincerely appreciated!
Best wishes,
John

Hello! I received a care package that your organization sent and I just wanted to say Thank You for sending it! We really appreciate all you do for us!
Julia *****

Ladies and Gentlemen of the OCP crew,
I am the 1SG of a Company forward deployed this year, and for many of my Soldiers, this is their first deployment and their first time away from family over the holidays, for me its my 5th.
I would like to say thank you on behalf of my Soldiers for the time energy and money spent from each of you as you packed up and shipped out 75 packages to my Soldiers. I know that is just a drop in the bucket for what you all do for the military as a whole, but you made many men smile today as they opened their care packages, which is hard to do, trust me as their leader I know!!! lol
Thank you again so much for what you do, it is very much appreciated by so many. Its good to know there are people like you watching over our backs and thinking about us while we do what we do. I hope you all have a very good holiday season. God Bless.
David

Hi,
Today our office received a care package from your organization, and we would like to send a HUGE thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It’s so nice knowing that we (the troops) have your support and that we are in your thoughts. Also please give a BIG hug to the little cuties in the picture, they definitely put a smile on our faces! Thank you all again!!
TIFFANY L. ****, TSgt, USAF

Debbie, Pat and the OCP Gang,
I received the package today you guys sent and I'm overwhelmed with all of the items in the box. Many of the items were things I have haven't been able to get since I got here. I really appreciate all of the support you show us over here. God bless you all and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
CW2 Clayton ******

Debbie,
Thank you very much for the package. It came just in time to lift my down spirit up. Merry xmas and a very nice new year eve for you and your family.
v/r
Guido

Debbie,
I received your package, and I want you to know how much I appreciate it. With being away from home at Christmas and sharing this holiday season with my military family, it is nice to open up a care package. I hope you and all of your family friends have a safe holiday season. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thanks,
SFC ****, Allen

My name is SGT CURRAN. I just received another care package from you with stocking, cards, food and hygiene supplies. I cannot express my gratitude in words. I even got a Christmas present and cards with scriptures on it!!!
THANKS TO YOU AND EVERYBODY WHO HELPED MAKE MY CHRISTMAS AND SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY WORTH IT!!! YOU ROCK!!!!
THANK YOU TOO THE SILIC FAMILY!!! YOU MAKE MY TIME HERE SO MUCH BETTER WITH THESE GIFTS FROM HOME I RECEIVED IN THIS AMAZING CARE PACKAGE!!!!
GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP US ALL IN YOUR PRAYERS PLEASE.

Mrs Debbie,
This is SFC *** Aaron. I just received the care package from your organization. I just wanted to send my thanks and gratitude. It means a lot to all of us to get things like this and know for sure that the great people of the USA care about what we are doing. I cant thank you enough can you pass along thanks for everyone involved it means a tremendous amount to see all the time and effort that goes into something like this. Especially the kids on those football teams. I am a huge football fan and it just so happens I am a huge bears fan so I got a real kick out of the go bears stuff written on the letters. I wish the best of luck to all the kids and their teams, hope they have successful seasons,
Well thanks again maam for everything, it means a lot. I would have sent a thank you card but we are in a kinda remote place, this would be faster to show you guys how much it means to all of us thanks again.
Sincerely SFC ***** and the Mad dogs

Debbie, Trisha, Fern and DJ -
I want to thank you for the care package I received yesterday from you all and the very nice not with all the people who contributed to it. It is so very nice to know that there are so many back home who still take the time to think about all of us while we are away from home, and to make it that much more comforting.
This is my third overseas deployment from home, to each Iraq, Kuwait and now Afghanistan. My wife *****, and all my children have been nothing but supportive. I am sure some of you are family members of Veterans, like Debbie I see, and I want you to know that I know how hard it can be for them while we are gone for such a long time. If it can go wrong while we are gone it will. Having such supporting people back home is great. I personally honor those family members and there is not a week that goes by I don't thank my family for having to take care of everything while I am gone. I know it's not easy. They have to be just as strong as us while we are gone.
I am from Enterprise, Alabama and work for the State of Alabama full time when I am not on active duty. I serve in the Alabama National Guard. I just wanted to let you know who you have helped and placed a smile on my face....... and tell you all......THANK YOU.
Glenn ******

Dear Debbie and the OCP gang.
Thank you so much for all the care packages you and your friends sent to our unit. I just want to extend the gratitude from all of us here. We are a C-130 maintenance unit. Our mission includes providing tactical airlift for cargo and
passengers, to keep unnecessary convoys off the roads. Also tactical airdrop resupply missions, as well as the occasional aero medical evac. Be assured your care packages are being put to good use and everyone was very pleased to receive them as our base is running low on such every day personal care
items, so they are somewhat hard to come by.
My name is SSgt Thomas *****, I am a C-130 crew chief. I have been stationed at LRAFB for almost 8 years, my home town is Tucson AZ. I am including a couple of pictures in this email. One is a pic of just a few of the other crew chiefs from our units as well as a pic of one of our planes from LRAFB.
This is the least I could do for all the effort you guys put into sending us all those great packages. Once again thank you for your thoughts, prayers
and overall concern for our safe return home.
Respectfully,
SSgt Thomas ******

Good Morning, Afternoon, or Evening Debbie & OCP Gang,
I am LS3 Anthony **********, and i wanted to not only thank but give you Debbie & OCP Gang a big round of applause followed with a deep appreciation for all you guys do. What we do makes it all worth it knowning there are carings folks such as yourself & the OCP Gang. Please continue with your great service and bringing big great smiles to all of us service members. I will send a pic of my command as soon possible.
Thanks with much love,
LS3 Anthony **********

All,
It was an absolute treat to come in today and find a package waiting for me. I just wanted to return a note of thanks to you, and the many volunteers that make this happen. Please share my gratitude to all who take the time to contribute, donate, organize, and share their time to make this happen. Your recognition, and thoughts are greatly appreciated, and I know I am speaking for many recipients of packages.
Again, my regards and thanks to the four of you as well as, Lois, Jean, Judy, Kathy, Pat, JoAnn, Elaine, Sharon, Sandy, Donna, Jim, Rich, and any others I may have forgotten.
God Bless.
Very Respectfully,
Justin *****, Technical Sergeant, USAF

Just wanted to give y'all a big thank you for the care package I received the other day and most of all for the well wishes! Thank you very much for your support and a special thank you to the Jr. Knights Football team and coaches...you guys rock!
V/R
CHARLES L

Hello
I just wanted to express my appreciation for the care package that I received. It is always nice to get a little piece of home and to know that people are mindful of the soldiers over here. I have been here for about 2 months now and it seems like I just here yesterday. The days are long but the weeks go by quick. I work at the hospital and the we stay pretty busy taking care of soldiers and making sure everyone is fit to fight. The weather is also starting to cool off and we look forward to the upcoming holiday season.
Thanks again for the package and all your support from back home.
V/R
Amasa *******, O.D.

Just wanted to say thank you for the care package. The guys in my squad loved it and since this is there first deployment and seeing how there are people out there who care about the service, it made them feel good. I appreciate what you and your group of supporters out there do for the service and we thank yall. I will be getting a picture of everyone in the squad when i get a chance so we can show our support for what yall do.
Thanks
Sgt ******, Christopher

Hello Debbie, Trisha, Fern, and DJ.
I hope that this email finds you all in the best of health and the greatest of moods. My name is SSG *******
I am writing to you all today to say thank you and your OCP Gang for taking the time out of your day to send me a care package. I must say that when I received the package, I was having one of those days and the package really lifted my spirit and put a smile on my face. It warms my heart to know that there are still Americans that support the troops in these trying times.
Thank You and your OCP Gang... You All ROCK!!!!
I will be looking you all up on Facebook and I will surely like and share your page. I hope that the party at Trisha's is an outstanding one and you all have a great time. I am not sure if you can or have the time, but could you give your crew a pat on the back and tell them all thank you very much.
Thanks again Your Newest Friend SSG *********

Hello Debbie,
Your website and organization have been amazing at offering us commodities not available here. More recently along with your other packages I received 12 Otis cleaning kits for my soldiers and soldiers from 2 other squads in my platoon. This is so unexpected and we are so grateful for your generosity. There really is no other way to say thank you than just doing it. You and your organization are in our thoughts and prayers.
Thank you,
SSG *****, Robbie N.

Good morning all,
I received a box from your organization (Operation Care Package) a few weeks ago, and it had a note in there with each email address on it so I wanted to send you an email letting you know that we appreciate everything that you do for the military. As a chaplain assistant, I am here to look out for the morale of the Airman/Soldiers here at the base and do what I can to make
things better.
I had numerous people come to me and thank me for the snacks that we received so I wanted to send each of you a thank you in return. I am sure with as many military members that are deployed that you guys are extremely busy getting these boxes organized and sent off.
Take care and thank you again for what you all do for deployed members. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we appreciate the boxes that you all send out. Have a blessed day!!!
Chris
CHRISTOPHER ******* TSgt, USAF

Thank you all so much for another package every one loved it.. You guys are awesome and really make our time here alot better.. Again thank you so much..
SGT Michele

OCP Gang
Let ME start by saying thank you for the care package I received today!! The best item of all was the 2 pages of hand written notes you sent!! The products are appreciated the words you each took the time to write are invaluable!!! We do what we do here because we love what we do! That others appreciate it enough to give their time for me and my fellow Soldiers is indeed humbling!! Thank you is insufficient, but is the best I know
Randall ****

It means sooooo much to have your support! I received my box today. It put a much needed smile on my face. Continue doing what you do! It makes it easier to do what I do.
Thanks again!
T*****
LORETHA T. *****

Today I received your package, thank you , thank you!
I was not expecting anything, so getting a package from "operation care package " and addressed to me it was awesome!
I shared the goodies, I don't eat chocolate, (I know its rare, my co workers make fun of me about that). I want to take a few minutes and thank you all.
Please tell everyone involved thank you!
God Bless

All!!!
I received a truly wonderful gift today from all of you... Chock full of "low-fat" munchies, Girl Scout Cookies and awesome (needed)
toiletries!!!
Really can't thank you enough... It means the world to me and tell
everyone back home that we are doing great!
You can see a lot of what we do by going to FACEBOOK and liking: 1st Theater Sustainment Command
We post our latest work and projects...Check us out.
Email us!
And, THANK YOU!!!
Sincerely,
Timothy *****

I wanted to say thank you for the Care packages, it was the highlight of our day to receive them. I have enclosed a picture of the C-130 group stationed here at Kabul. We are small right now, but have more individuals coming in the next few weeks. I cannot say thank you enough, every person is so grateful for what you have done for us. On behalf of the C-130 group thank you so very much.
Thank you and God Bless,
TSgt Jennifer

Thank you very much for your support
Jannette *****

Let me begin by saying good morning and THANK YOU. I truly hope that I am not the first one to take the time and say thank you for all you do for us. If it wasn't for great Americans like yourselves the morale of our Soldiers would be pretty low. As the Soldiers and I enjoyed the goodies you sent I saw the little notes you sent and decided to write you and let you know that nothing is going to waste. Please know that from the bottom of my heart I thank you for still believing in our cause and for taking the time of your busy schedule and be part of your amazing program(Operation Care Package).
Very Respectfully,
Staff Sergeant ******
4th ID

Good morning! On behalf of the 27th FMCO; I just want to say a big Finance thank you for all the packages our unit has received from you. The Soldiers really enjoyed the supplies in the packages. You all are doing a great job in sending us the packages. I have instructed the Soldiers to send you all an email to thank you for the packages. We will be here for few. If there are any changes, I will let you all know.
Thank you
V/R,
David *****

Hello,
I'm CW2 Clayton ******* and I wanted to express my gratitude for the amazing care package I received today from Operation Care Package. I was completely overwhelmed as I opened the package and saw all of the support and dedication to us Soldiers over here. We could not do what we do without all of your support, and I sincerely thank you all for the time and effort put into my package. I also want to thank you all for the many goodies. Most of the items we cannot get here on the FOB where I am. I appreciate all you have done. Thank you.
CW2 Clayton *******
US Army

Good Morning Operation Care Package Volunteers,
I am Captain Frank *****, U.S. Army. I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude for sending the Operation Care Package to me and my Soldiers. We received your package this month and have enjoyed everything you included. Your contributions have made a challenging time away from home much more enjoyable.
The call to arms to which each American Soldier must respond is one that is not easily answered. When the call comes in still of the night or the bustle of the day, we proudly don our uniforms, equip ourselves with weapon and armor, and board a plane taking us to unknown lands where we may face enemies lurking in the mountains, among the populace within the cities, or among us within our own walls. It is a scary truth that every Soldier of the United States must face. We volunteer to serve our country and protect our friends, loved ones, and fellow Americans. We do this proudly and with honor. We are able to do this because of people like you, people who reach into their hearts with kindness and deliver bits and pieces of home, reminding us of why we are here and what we have waiting for us when we return.
You truly are a wonderful people. Please know that there is a handful of Soldiers you have touched with your generosity and we are grateful to all of you. Again, I thank you and wish you all the best.
V/R,
FRANK R. *****
CPT

Operation Care Package,
Your package brought me so much joy today!!!! The magazines were awesome!!!!..As a girly-girl it was very appreciated!!! Thanks for thinking of us while we are far from home. your gesture of kindness is VERY APPRECIATED!!!! God Bless your organization!!!!
SGT Claudia *****

Thank you all at Operation Care Package:
We received your large box of variety of meat jerkys, Tagalongs bars, Cliff bars which I shared with our sections' day and night shift personnel.
Thanks for the letter from Jo Ann Randolph, signed by many of you, Debbie, D. Voight, Hannah, Irene, Phyllis, Laurie, ay, Lois, Jim, Ruth, Jean, Mary, Gavin, Medina, Sharon, Corinne, Michael, Edward, R.Don and Kim!
Again thanks for thinking of us as we do our duty in the desert.
God Bless,
KATHLEEN

Dear Debbie,
I just wanted to drop a line saying thanks for the care package
my guys and me just got today. It was very nice and didn't go to
waste, especially went goodies such as those you all sent were running
low.
Me and guys thank all of you for what you do and knowing people back home still care about the Soldiers over here fighting and dying goes a long way. I don't really know what and all you'd like to share with others so I'll tell you a little about some of the guys and myself. One of my Soldier's use to have a show on HBO called "Family Bonds"; he's CPL Evangelista, and before he joined the army, he was a bounty hunter. Another of my Soldiers plan on getting out of the Army after this deployment and attending film school; he's currently working on making a funny video of our company for the families back home. As for me I'm working on my third book of poetry and my first novel. I write under the pen name Edward Val and my last published book was a collection of poetry titled: "Black Rose; Dying". We also have a guy in the Platoon that worked with Jackie Chan on the most
recent "Karate Kid" movie. So as you might guys were full of
characters and talent.
As for our daily routine we get up work out go on mission or pull tower guard, then go to sleep to do it all over
again. It gets really boring at times, but we keep each other
entertained with our antics, jokes and so forth. More then anything my platoon is a family.
Take Care
SSG Jeremiah

Dear, Debbie, Fern, Dj and Trisha,
Thank you all so much for the care packages. Please note that we are
all grateful for your support and are honored to serve not only our country,
but thoughtful individuals like yourselves.
I hope to provide you with some pictures and names of those that you have
helped make a difference over here.
Again thank you for your support,
TSgt Jason *****

Dear Friends at Operation Care Package,
On behalf of the BLT 3/2 Scout Sniper Platoon, I send my sincere thanks for the care packages you have provided us. All of the snacks, magazines, hygiene items, and so forth have come as a welcome relief as we continue to move from location to location throughout the Horn of Africa and Middle East regions, conducting theater security cooperation efforts and maritime security operations, while embarked on the USS Kearsarge with our US Navy brothers.
The kind notes from so many of you have been very well-received and it certainly means a lot. A special thank you goes out to all the kids who have contributed to the care packages and wrote notes! I wish everyone at Operation Care Package-Joliet all the best – your hard work and generosity is greatly appreciated.
Very Respectfully,
1stLt Chris ****
Scout Sniper Platoon Commander

Debbie, Fern, DJ, and Trisha,
My sincere thanks for the work you do through Operation Care Packages and for those of us away from home. I have yet to meet a Soldier who does not look forward to mail call and your efforts to bring a bit of home to us are appreciated more than you may know. Thanks for looking out for us.
Respectfully,
Bill
US Army, ***** Afghanistan

Good morning from sunny Afghanistan,
I just wanted to tell you all how grateful I am for the care package that you've sent. We spent a good minute reading the messages on the letter that was packaged inside before we even saw what you'd sent us. Needless to say, we were very happy to find the treats and products that were sent. I always feel a little guilty on the rare occasions I receive a care package in the
mail, mainly because I don't want it to seem like I feel entitled to them.
I don't deny that it's great to have them, though. That being said, thank you so much for this package. It brightened our day.
Sincerely,
James

Thank you to all,
I would like to thank you for the awesome care package. I wish I could personally send an email to everyone that made it possible but only a few signature had email address.
Either way, since I know it was a team effect collecting and packaging all these lovely treats, I want to say thank you very much.
I'm not sure who MAX is but, the envelope enclosed in my box had a self portrait drawing of him; all I could do is smile. Thanks Max!
V/R
CW3 Carl

Good Afternoon all,
My name is Gladstone ****** Jr and I am currently deployed to Djibouti, Africa. Myself and fellow troops have just received care packages from operation care packages. I want to extend a warm thank you from myself and everyone here that has received a package. It really put a smile on all of our faces to get a package filled with goodies. Again thank you very much and know that we really appreciate the work you guys are doing to keep us smiling and trucking on. Stay safe and be Blessed.
V/R
SSgt *******, Gladstone

I want to thank you and your Operation Care Package team for sending me the wonderful box of goodies. Unlike other bases, we are in a very "austere" location where the smallest things provide great comfort. I wish I could join you at the 10 Aug block party but Uncle Sam wants us to stay here a while longer. Please let me know if you need anything and thanks again!
Attached photo is our flagpole at FOB Lightning.
V/R
David *****

To Debbie and everyone at Operation Care Package,
I just wanted to drop a quick email and let you know that a bunch of your packages showed up a day or so ago, and I wanted to say thank you. Its nice to be able to get something from home and it sure brightens the day. It's very thoughtful of you guys and gals to send over all those packages, your generosity hasn't gone unnoticed.
Thanks again for your thoughtfulness,
D Co. 3-10 GSAB

To Everyone,
I got your package today and I want to say it made my day and thank you!
I have been out here for 2 years and it's great to receive a package
like this because it reminds us what we are fighting for.. Thanks again
for putting me in your hearts and prayers.
Thanks,
Steven

Dear Ms. Debbie,
Thank you for the lovely care package of goodies that you sent me. Your package brightened my day, and it continues to bright my workplace.
It was nice to be remembered by your Organization! Your thoughtfulness means so much to us on the front lines.
Warmly,
Derek

Good morning!
I just wanted to send a big thank you out from the 380th EMDG at Al Dhafra Air Base. We received our packages from you all yesterday and it absolutely made our day….it was like opening presents at Christmas! We are so blessed to have people like you all in our lives that think about on a daily basis while we are over here. Thank you so much again for all you do for us and our fellow troops. I hope you have an amazing day.

Dear Volunteers:
I am the mother of Todd ***** , US Army, stationed in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. I think he is on a recon team.
He just e-mailed me that he received a care package from your organization. He was very appreciative of the items you sent, and most of all he appreciated that someone other than just his family and close friends were thinking of him. He said the items will make him more comfortable, and it was "very neat to have a package I wasn't expecting."
We have been sending packages to him with razor blades, shaving cream, deodorant, Desenex foot powder, air freshener, Wheat Thins, beef jerky, and sun block. So we really appreciate you sending the soldiers items as well. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sincerely, Joanne

Greetings to everyone
Me and my guys are more than grateful and thankful for the support you have done for us. We really appreciate what all of you do to take care of us even when you don't know us. I can say that I took my time to read every letter and message you guys sent and believe that those words make me feel way better. One of the letters said it's hard to be away from home especially when you have a wife and a kid waiting for you to come back safe. These letters really helped me to keep my head up and continue to do my job out here knowing that I'm protecting more people than what I was expecting.
I thank you All for everything and you'll never be forgotten, not for this only, but for the actions, support and time that you have been putting into this. I am really happy for people like you.
Thank You Once Again.

Good Morning Fern and Debbie,
We all received our Care Packages from you and your dedicated team.
Thank you very much for everything. You should have seen all of us....we were bragging on every single item within each box on who got what like kids at Christmas. :-) We pray you realize how much you are uplifting our Morale and Confidence in serving our Country faithfully. Every item is being put to good use and cherished.
We truly appreciate the commitment and everything you and your staff are doing for the Soldiers consistently ensuring you are in keeping of your goal "LET NO HERO BE FORGOTTEN". We can't thank you enough and we are sending a photo of our team, once approved for emailing, with our packages. God Bless you all.
Thanks again and God Bless.

Hello, I would like to thank you on behalf of all the guys and girls I know who have enjoyed what you took the time to send.
We are in Afghanistan at Bahgram AFB. We work 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week. The area has been the subject of foreign armies since Alexander the Great in 326 BC. We have mountains on 3 sides. Some have snow caps. To the east the mountains are part of the Himalayans' range. Once again thank you for your thoughts and support.
Tech Sergeant ****

Hello,
My name is Rogelio ****** and I am in the United States Marine Corps. I have currently received a package from you guys, and I would like to take some time to thank you. Thank you for the support that your organization provides us with. It is very thoughtful and kind hearted of each and every one of you. It gives us a lot of motivation and strength to be away from home.
If I could, I would thank each and every one of you personally. Keep up the hard work and dedication, because without your support we would not be the strong nation that we proudly are. Thank you again and God Bless You.

Debbie, DJ, Trish, Fern, and anyone and everyone else,
Thank you so much for the care package I received last night! I am a Marine Lieutenant stationed on a small FOB with 30 other Marines. I have shared all the contents with my Marines, and we are all very thankful for the snacks and goodies.
Really, it's the thought that counts and we all feel a little bit special today because we know the American people support us and haven't forgotten about the troops still on the front lines.
God bless and keep up the great work!
Helmand, Afghanistan

To whoever sent the care package:
I want you to know that our team is very thankful for the care package that you sent to us. It was like Christmas when we got it –lots of good stuff and plenty of it! It’s not often that we get something like this and we are very limited in what we can get here at Camp Leatherneck. Your thoughtfulness and generosity are greatly appreciated.
Again, Thank you.
Sincerely,
STEPHEN

Hello Trisha, DJ, Fern and Debbie-
I recently received an "Operation Care Package" package, and was delighted. Everything that was sent was definitely well appreciated. What was more appreciated than the goodies is the time and continued commitment from you fine folks continuing to support Service members still deployed after twelve years of two wars (less for Iraq).
I am one of the lucky ones, for this is only my third deployment (13 months Iraq, 16 months Iraq and this will be 12 months Afghanistan). Every time I question myself as to why I keep doing this, people like you remind me that I do it for the wonderful people within our wonderful country. It takes a special kind of people to care about someone you don't know and have no obligation to care about and guys do it without a second thought. You are truly wonderful folks and all your efforts fill my spirit to continue this mission.
Take care, best regards and God Bless,
Sincerely,
Peter

Hi, My name is Sgt **** and I just wanted to say thank you for the care packages that we received today. It really means a lot to my Marines and myself. It boosts morale and helps a lot with everything else we need. Your services are very much appreciated and makes me proud to keep our country safe because of people like you. I only wish there were more people out there that appreciated the military like you do.
Thanks again and Semper Fi!

Dear Debbie,
I received the care package yesterday. I really appreciate everybody's
notes and items that I have received. Please give my thanks for the
items; DVD was a great movie I enjoy it made me feel close to home, the
chocolate, cookies, books, all the goodies. Thank you for the thoughts,
and prayers. I have attached a picture. Please keeps us always in your
prayers.
Give my love to all.
Yesenia

Hey Ladies,
It's a small, small world. Here I am in Kandahar, and I was getting a little down and my day changed when we opened one of the boxes from you. It may sound really silly but it was like Christmas when I saw the cans of soup in the box. I claimed them and the Spaghetti and Meatballs. LOL
I was just telling these guys how much I miss a drippy grilled cheese and a bowl of Campbells Tomato soup. They're from California...they don't understand.
The best part about this box is that it was packed with fun and love from Joliet. I live in Tinley Park. I belong to the 863rd Combat Engineers in Darien. The 311tth Expeditionary Sustainment Command from Los Angeles stole me for this mission. We have been gone since September with another 6 months to go. Hooah!
Thank YOU!
Thank you for doing this for all of us. It is very much appreciated and enjoyed.
PS. GO HAWKS!!!!!!

Ladies & gentlemen,
I just wanted to thank you for your care package. The trucks came rolling up around dinner time just as I was about to eat a spaghetti MRE. Needless to say we augmented our MREs with your care package.
The troops tore into the Girl Scout Cookies and other snacks.
Believe it or not I am a Lewis U grad so the city of Joliet does bring back memories.
Thank you all for your support. Someday when I get back to the greater Chicago-land area I will try to go visit.
Jason

To Everyone Involved
I would like to thank everyone who provided time and effort for the care packages that our unit has received during our deployment. We love the support you provide us from the US. The care packages are well received. We here will try and give our best foot forward for all our brothers and sister back in the US, while we continue here with the military mission. We all here would like to thank everyone who gives their time. We know you don't have to but we appreciate all the efforts you and everyone gives to us.
Thank you for the support, and we will all try to keep safe and return safely.

Dear Ms. Smothers,
I just want to say thank you for adding my name to the care package list. Your help and generosity certainly help us feel even more proud to serve our country and appreciate the support we get from back home. Thank you again.
FOB Shoja, Afghanistan
Best wishes

Thank you all for the terrific care package! You brought a smile to my face and the food and supplies were much appreciated. Although I will be leaving soon, I will always remember your generous donation of care packages, time, and energy.
Thank you for all you do in support of our service members!
Terry

Hey this is Lclp ***** of 3/2 Wpns co. I'm in the scout sniper platoon. Me and the other 12 of us recieved your packages you sent out to us, containing an abundance of snacks :-), socks, movies, canned goods, and all other sorts of things like magazines and such.
We thankyou so much, the thought behind all of this, the time spent; Words cannot describe how grateful we are. Yes your letters are correct, but I managed to get a second to write you back.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything you do back home it's much appreciated. If any questions, just email me back, I'll try to check my email in the next couple of days.
SEMPER FIDELIS

Dearest friends,
I wish to thank you so very much for the care package. I personally want you
to know that it was very much appreciated.
I normally do not accept any
packages as a Non Commissioned Officer (NCO), I always allow my Soldiers to
get the packages first. I have been on ground here in Afghanistan going on 5
months and this is the 2nd one I allowed myself to have. I loved each and
every item that was in my package and use some of them daily.
When good
people like you take the time out of your busy days to prepare and send
packages, I being a Soldier, am fortunate enough to see your hard work is
appreciated. The smiles on my Soldiers faces and the barter system that we
created allows all of us here to get something special or something that was
really needed.
On behalf of all the 32nd Transportation Company "Operations"
section, I once again want to thank you and wish each of every one of your
team a whole hardily... "Hooah" With great respect...

Dear Operation Care Package team members,
I wasn't sure which email to write this short letter to, so I am writing to all of you.
I am PFC *****, the Combat Medic who signed up for volunteers who wanted to help support the soldiers of my platoon here in Afghanistan.
I am writing to let you know the packages have been received and everyone was very excited to get them.
We all work between 12 to 16 hours per day, and the day is usually filled with missions, and many hours of guard duty. However, our main responsibility is running the Aid Station so soldiers and department of defense civilians are able to receive the care they need while here in theater. We see everything from a case of the sniffles to severe musculoskeletal injuries.
We have also treated personnel who were injured in IED blasts here at our location.
So, in the middle of all the action, we are usually able to stop and grab some chow at the chow hall, but on the occasion that we do not get that chance, the snacks and stress relief items that your team sent to us really come in handy. There are some of us who are out on mission for two weeks at a time, eating only MRE's or whatever food they are able to come up with. But, even if we are only on mission for a day or two, the snacks help us to keep our spirits up and keep the salt to water balance in our body in a normal range. (Dehydration and low salt levels are serious problems here)
Anyway, I just wanted to give you an idea how the resources you've devoted to improving our outlook are being used. Nothing will be wasted, because everything your team sent to us is absolutely precious. We often give out snacks and drink mixes and such to our soldiers as they come into the aid station for care or to visit for other reasons. We also invite our higher ranking officers into the aid station on occasion for coffee or snacks. ( I see no reason why we shouldn't keep our higher ranking officers happy. ) haha
Thank you for what you are doing for deployed soldiers, and thank you for the care packages you sent us. The items are much appreciated.
Also, if you would be interested in seeing pictures of our aid station or of our team, just let me know. I have ordered a digital camera and I expect it to be here in the middle part of April or maybe the first part of May, so I will be taking plenty of pictures to share with anyone who wants to see them. I cannot send pictures that involve compromising our position or giving away sensitive military information, but I can definitely show you our smiling faces and some of the medical tasks we perform on a daily basis!
With respect and thanks
PFC *****

Today I received two Care Packages. I emptied both and split them even
into the two boxes, and Monday I will fly out to two of our COMBAT OUT
POSTs in ***** and *****. I will give the soldiers there the
boxes. I know they will appreciate it and I thank you for them. As an
Officer my main duty is to take care of the soldiers.
If you and your group want to continue to send packages I will be
faithfully distribute them to soldiers both here on FOB **** and the
surrounding areas.
Because of those like you that support the troops deployed, it allows us
to have that little piece of home that we all so often miss.
Thank you again! And God Bless each one of you!

Debbie, DJ, Trish and Fern
I wanted to give you a big thanks for the care package I received, oops over a week ago.
We all, here at HHC STB, 1st Sust BDE--more in particular the TMC (troop medical clinic), appreciate your kindness and support. Any items that were not taken immediately upon opening the box, or that I did not keep for myself--candy, was placed on the front of the clinic for other soldiers who come for care here to take with them. Everything has been shared with everyone here.

To the amazing ladies and gentlemen at Operation Care Package,
On behalf of my soldiers and I here in Delta 4-3 ADA we greatly thank you for your continuing support for us troops deployed overseas. Your care packages have been coming in and every time one of us gets one we are very pleased. Thank you again so much and keep up the support!!
V/R
Delta 4-3 ADA

We received your package. It was overwhelming. Thank you so much for the
comics and food. The minute I brought the package everyone start digging in.
We appreciate all the cards as well.
Sincerely,
Leonardo

A HUGE "THANK YOU" to all of you Great Americans for supporting our
Nation's Sons and Daughters with your tremendous generosity! Attached
are some pictures for you to enjoy!
CH (CPT) Roland ***

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND EACH ONE OF YOU.
Thanks to think about our soldiers far away from our lovely nation. People like you set the example and give to us hope to demostrate to the world that our mission is to keep the peace and security worldwide. Again, thanks and the peace of god be with each one of you and your family members. everything were goooood.
Sincerely,
SFC CUEVAS ****

Hi Debbie, Dj, Trish, & Fern,
Thank you for your note, your thoughts, and the care package that arrived today. I hope all of you and your families are doing well. It is so nice of you to volunteer to help take care of men and women serving overseas by sending the care packages.
My team and I greatly appreciate the things you sent and will enjoy them. We are all doing our best and looking forward to wrapping up our tours here. I have just under 4 months to go and hope to be home for Independence Day.
May God continue to Bless You and your efforts,
Dean

OCP Gang,
My name is Jesus ****** I'm from Chicago Ill, I just met my 3 year mark in the ARMY and I enjoy it. I received your care package, and I wanted to show you my gratitude.
This is my first deployment and it's amazing how much support we receive. I really appreciate all the love and support. Every time we receive a package it brightens up our day. You would be surprised how much a letter or a care package really changes our day. I know it makes me feel proud to serve in the armed forces.
I spend about 12 hours a day working and work out every night to improve my physical fitness and combat readiness. I intend to stay in the ARMY for 20 years. I have been here for three months and can't wait to go back home.
Once again, thank you for all your support.
From
SPC ******

Hello OCP team!
This is the quickest way for me to say thanks, and that I appreciate the
package you sent me. I read all of the comments on the two papers. I
would also like to thank the Veterans. It is a great feeling receiving a
package no matter who it is from, it means a lot more when it is from
people who don't know us and who care for what it is that we are doing.
Very Respectfully,
SFC (P) Jose A. ****

Hi there,
My name is CS1(SW) Sophal **** I want to take this opportunity to say Thank you for all the packages this organization has sent me and the other sailors. I can see the smiles on the sailors face and myself when we open this box. Knowing that someone back in the states do really care and appreciate what we do out here.
Once again, I would to say thank you very much for what you do for us. God Bless you!
Sincerely,
Sophal ****

Ladies and Gents,
I really appreciate the stuff we received from you. It means a lot to have Citizens like you at our backs. You have no idea how much it means to me. Take care in your daily endeavors and stay strong behind my good brothers and sisters.
Sincerely,
Rich

My name is SGT ****, I recently sent a request for care packages for my troops and me. I just want to say God bless all of you for your support and we greatly appreciate the care packages that you sent us. It really cheers up our day when we get the support from so many people that we dont even know. It's nice to know that so many people care. Have a great day and once again thank you.
Sincerely
SGT ****

Friend,
My name is First Lieutenant **** **** and my team and I are embedded
in a compound in the Providence of
Afghanistan.. That means we live on our own floor inside their
compound (actually above their jail). We go weekly to the nearest FOBs. ***** does not have a store and ***** recently closed theirs
down because the FOB is closing. We go to the Combat Stress building and
they will hand us random packages and have an assortment of personal
supplies, all donated.
I tell you this so you will understand how
important you gesture of kindness is to the troops. We very much appreciate
your care package and the fact that you are thinking of us. I am an old
soldier and I know the young Joes are not good about writing or saying
thank you but trust me, they appreciate it. Your package ended up with
me and wanted to ensure that you knew it was received and very much
appreciated. It's funny in this technological age, I have ok internet
access and usually have electricity but simple essentials are like gold.
I am so glad to know there are Americans out there thinking of us even
though the main stream media chooses to keep us at the bottom of the
news topics. I hope you have a wonderful 2013.
Thanks again and best regards,
1LT **** ****

Just wanted to drop a thank you line to you and your organization. I
just came back from R and R yesterday and I had plenty of packages from
your organization and other companies like yours and was simply elated
at the support that you've exhibited. I feel like Andy Dufrane from the
ShawShank Redemption, when he asked for support and got an overflowing
of packages. Again, thank you. Is there anything that myself or my
department can do to show our appreciation for all that you do?
Brian ***
MWR Technician

Greeting,
My name is SFC *** On behalf of my team of 5 we would like to thank you very
very much for the care package. We enjoyed them very much and also take
some of the goodies for the kids in the local area we interact with, and
you guys should see the happiness in their eyes.
Wish you all and your
family well and we can't thank you all enough for having us in your
thought and prayer.
Best Regard,
SFC Ben ****

This is CW2 Christopher ***.....live from Afghanistan.
I just wanted to e-mail you to let you know your care packages have been
received and welcomed with open arms. I cannot express the gratitude
that the soldiers and myself have for your support. We thank you from
the bottom of our hearts.
The second thing that I would like to address is the note that
was attached with the care package(s)....WOW! I have been in service for
17yrs and oversees 6 of those years, and I have never received such a
heartfelt letter, in all this time, like the one that you all
sent....thank you. You truly do not know how much a letter like that can
inspire and motivate soldiers in trying times. I can tell that your
letter is posted and kept in a very special place and when needed a nice
reminder of why I, and any of the people that I work with, do the job that
we do.
Again thank you for your support to our organization. You are
very special people with hearts of gold, and I thank you from the bottom
of my heart......God Bless.
Christopher ****
4/1 CAV Targeting Officer

Thank you soooooo much for the care package that was one of the best ones we’ve seen all deployment. I personally liked the playing cards from Harrah’s Casino because I’ve been their myself. I lived in Belvidere, Illinois for a few years and I went there with my dad one time. Thank you so much for the support, we’re all out here for you guys and we appreciate the thoughtful care package. We all love you too!!!
VFA-14 Maintenance Control

OCP Gang,
Thank you so much for all your support. I really appreciated the goodies you sent. I hope you enjoyed your trip to CA!!!! Everything is going fine here. I'm just taking it one day at a time. Can't wait to get back to TX!!!!!!!
Thank you again,
2LT Thompson

Hello,
I wanted to thank you for sending me a package. I shared the contents with everyone I work with. I apologize that I didn't send you this email earlier. I'm starting my master program out here and it's taking a big chunk of my time.
Thank you again,
CPT Leonardo ****

We received another package!
Thank you all for sending us another package. I love drinking the Hot cocoa Krueger especially when it gets cold here. It'st weird but sometimes I miss the hot temperture of Iraq. I took a picture of the Soldiers I work with. When i get a chance I'll send it all to you. We love the Oreos as well.
Sincerely,
Leonardo ****

Team Operation Care Package,
I wanted to say thank you for sending care packages to the troops this year. There are two of us First Sergeants assigned to the 466th Air Expeditionary Group, which encompasses two squadrons and nearly 2000 Airmen embedded with the Army, Navy, Marines, and Coalition Forces. Your organization sent enough Christmas stockings for each of our members. Your generosity and sacrifice put a smile on many faces, and for that we are eternally grateful.
Please pass onto your staff our sincere appreciation and the difference they made in the lives of our deployed warriors.
VR,
DAVID M. *****

Dear American Patriots,
I was overwhelmed with the care packages that we received for the Holidays. It is sure comforting to know that great Americans as yourselves are working selflessly to support our Troops. The personal notes that were written are an excellent display of the strong character of our Nation. It is an honor to serve and proud to be an American.
Respectfully
Fabian
COL Fabian *****

We just received a second care package from you and your fine organization. It is a nice perk to get snacks we don't get to see over here. My guys and myself appreciate all you do for us over here.
Thanks so much
Jimmy ****
USAF

Hello,
I just wanted to express my gratitude and say thank you for the care package I received in the mail yesterday. It was incredibly nice to come off of a mission yesterday after several days on the road and have a package waiting for me :D. The timing couldn't have been better. Having not shaven in three days and all out of razors, I was hoping to make it to the PX to buy some razors before my commander saw my face haha...and the snacks we're perfect after eating MRE's for a few days strait!
Operation Care Package has hooked us up pretty well since we've been in Afghanistan. I don't know who all responds with anything to express their gratitude but it truly is appreciated. Thanks again and God Bless!!
Sincerely,
Sergeant Shaun *****

Hello,
Thank you so much Debbie Smothers and the OCP Gang for the wonderful care
package with the great supplies in it!!!!
Please keep the care packages going with snacks and what you can send. It sure is a morale booster for the
Soldiers in my unit. Thank you once again for what you are doing, it is so
greatly appreciated.
God Bless From 359th ICTC

I want to thank you for everything that you have done. Everyone in the photo attached has received a small piece of your gift and from the bottom of everyone's heart we want to Thank You. It is amazing the power of small gifts and the profound impact a small care package can have. I am extremely grateful for your gifts.
It's amazing how much a small thing like potato chips can change a whole day, a piece of chocolate can bring light to a hard day. I am on the first level in the center wearing sunglasses.
To let you know a little about me, I am from Brooklyn, NY, and I will have to say I am a bit of a cookie and potato chip monster, and the gifts that you provided were awesome.
I am sorry for the delay, but I want to just say Thank You.
Captain Dennis ****

Hey hows it goin. My name is AD3 Austin *****.
I am currently deployed in
japan right now and my shop and I had received a care package you
particitpated in for operation care package. I was just wanted to send a
thank you letter to say how much I appreciate yall thoughts and prayers. I
wouldn't be able to do things I do without the support from you. It always
puts a smile to hear from people like you and know that there are good
hearted people out there thinking of us.
If you have any questions for me I
would be happy to reply whatever I can. Hope you had a great christmas and
new years.
Very Respectfully,
AD3(AW) Austin

My squadron is currently deployed overseas, and we just received a ton of gifts from you guys.
I just wanted you guys to know how much we appreciate what you are doing. It makes a huge difference when we walk in and see mail for the holidays. Thank you to everyone that contributed their time and resources.
Sincerely,
AT3 Thorland

Dear Operation Care Package Volunteers:
Thank you very much for the care packages you have sent to me and my colleagues. It was a very nice surprise to receive a care package during the holiday period. I really appreciate all the thoughtful things you included in the care package--especially the sweets! Thanks for taking the time to remember us--that means a lot to all of us over here. Happy Holidays to you all.
Sincerely,
Dean
Colonel, US Army

I really want to thank the Operation Care Package for the awesome package I just received. All full of amazing gifts!!! I loved the Christmas blanket I will keep it forever! I personally want to thank Maya for her inspirational drawing. Thank you once again for all the gifts and the Christmas wishes. Ho Ho Ho!
Thank you!!!
Isabel
Deployed Onboard USS Stennis

HELLO,
Thank you for your packages to the unit. My battle buddies and I really appreciate them. ALSO, thank you for the thoughts behind putting the packages together, as we found some very useful items inside all of them. THANK YOU ALL AGAIN. Have a safe Holiday season and a blessed new year.
v/r
SGT******
261st MCT
Kandahar Airfield

I wanted to send a very sincere thank you for the care package. I actually
received it a week ago, but things here have been pretty hectic to say the
least. I wanted to let you know that I appreciate the time and effort you
and your group put into supporting the troops. Thank you!
James

Operation Care Package,
My name is Michelle and I am currently deployed to Afghanistan. I want to thank you for my stocking, it brought a smile to my face. I just received it and I have already worn the socks and stashed some of the snacks in my HMMWV for our next mission.
A special thanks goes out to Raymond Fritz of New Windsor, MD. Thank you for your service in WWII, you're one of the reasons I can fight so proudly today. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thanks Again,
Michelle

While passing out Christmas stockings to the Airmen here in Kabul, ran across this letter from one of the school children which is very touching and will be taped to my wall. Thanks Alyssa Lynn Scudder for writing this touching description of a veteran...
"A veteran is someone brave. They go out and risk their lives for us. No one can thank anyone enough for that. Veterans are so heroic. They have to train and train and train. It's absolutely amazing that someone is that courageous. ... A veteran is also mentally strong. They don't get to see their friends or family for a long time. I know that being a veteran is a great honor. A veteran is very important to everyone. They are fearless, courageous, mentally strong, hardworking, dedicated, protecting, and brave. If you took a veteran and put him/her into words it would be those words."

Sir/Ma'am,
I'm currently serving a 365 day deployment to Kabul, Afghanistan. As is
my nature, I arranged with some friends to do Christmas stocking and
gift bags for all the service members working with and around me. But
it was such a pleasant surprise to have one of your Christmas stockings
waiting for me on Christmas morning. I appreciate that you and your
volunteers think of the deployed troops, not just at Christmas, but
throughout the year.
Thank you,
Kris *****, USAF

Debbie,
I just wanted to say "Thank you" for the beautiful red Christmas stocking I received today, courtesy of Operation Care Package. It was filled with candy and other good stuff that I and my co-workers will enjoy sharing this Christmas season. The stocking was given to me on Camp Eggers, in Kabul, Afghanistan. Thank you for enhancing our morale by remembering a whole bunch of U.S. Air Force "Bluesuiters"--you made our day!
God Bless You and the work you do.
Merry Christmas,
Joe

Dear Operation Care Packages,
I wanted to take a minute and send my thanks to all of you back home for the care packages we just received today!
As I went to bed last night I was thinking about being back home and was imagining all the fun times that my family was having during this Christmas morning. I was completely surprised when I woke up and stepped outside my room to see the entire hallway lined with stockings at each door. It was a great feeling and brought a little piece of me back home to the excitement, warmth and love that Christmas brings.
Thank you so much for the wonderful surprise but more so for the thoughts and care that came with each stocking! It made my day!
1Lt Billy *******

Hello,
I am CPT Mandy C*** and I would like to thank you all very much for the care
package.
I waited until Christmas to open the package as instructed and it
was wonderful. I love the golf club! I also would like to thank Dylan Pliska
for the letter. His letter was a great present for me on Christmas here. He
had some questions: my favorate color is Red, I like to gold and run
outside. Right now we are in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Which is in the south so
it stays pretty warm, a couple of days it has rained but no snow.
Thank you all again. Merry Christmas!
CPT ****, Mandy

Dear Ms. Smothers and volunteers at Operation Care Package,
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your care packages are so
generous! We received the packages you sent before Christmas, and we
used some of the goodies in our Christmas party. Being away from family
and friends is difficult during this season, but your kindness is
another reminder of the love that permeates this time of year. Our
office consists of military in uniform and civilians. The majority of
us hail from Tampa or the Washington, DC area.
Again, thank you for your generosity - the packages were great!
Happy New Year!
Regards,
Bob

Hello!
I am a deployed member here at Camp Eggers in Afghanistan on my first
deployment and received one of your Christmas stockings. I just wanted
to send you my sincere thanks for the kindness you extended to us over
here. It was very thoughtful and helped bring some holiday cheer to help
make being away from home during this time a little easier.
I'm so
thankful from the bottom of my heart for the support from back home and
grateful that we are thought of. Merry Christmas!
V/R,
Maria *******, 1st Lt, USAF

Dear Debbie and Fern,
I have to say thank you for all the dedication that you put into sending us care packages. B-Troop thanks you both as well.
We received the packages a few days ago and there was more than enough items to go around for everyone. We really appreciate the gifts especially the microwave and coffee maker as we did not have these items. You made us feel at home because it was like Christmas opening all of the packages. Nice touch with the stockings too. We placed stockings on the troopers' bunks who were inbound, joining us for this deployment. Everyone was very pleased to get a stocking. :)
Thanks again,
Troopers from Bandit Troop, 5th Squadron, 7th US Cavalry!!

Hello Debbie,
I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know I was a
recipient of one of your care stockings here at Shindand AB,
Afghanistan. I am serving with the 445th AEAS and just wanted to let
you know I had received one of the stockings, and how much I personally
appreciate your support of us over here downrange. It brings a little
bit of home to us all separated from our families and home during the
holidays.
Thanks for all you do,
V/R
LEE M. ***** TSgt, USAF

Ms. Debbie,
I just want to say thank you for the care packages we received. We
greatly appreciate what you did for us as well as other fellow soldiers.
We really enjoyed the stockings. We have them hanging up. It feels good
to know that we are appreciated and have others caring for us along with
our families. We ask that you continue your prayers for the troops and
we will as well. Once again thank you so much.
Sincerely,
The 1-167th IN BN Family

Hello Proud Supporters of the United States Military,
My name is SSG Steven ******, I am a platoon Sergeant in the 1461st Transportation company stationed in Afghanistan.
Recently all the Soldiers in my platoon received a care package from your organization. I just wanted to take the time to send an email and tell you that the packages brought smiles to my Soldiers faces. We are appreciative of all the support and care that you all put into sending these packages out to Soldiers serving overseas.
During this Holiday season some Soldiers are truly missing their families and the normal routine of the Holiday season. Receiving packages from Americans that just want to show their support and gratitude to the troops, is a great feeling of pride.
Thank you again for the support SSG ******!!

HELLO!
I received your care package and would like extend my deepest gratitude for your selflessness and LOVE.
It has certainly come at a great time as I was running out of goodies from the PX.
I think what you do is so great and I want to let you know that I really appreciate it.
A little about me, I am a Battalion Signal Officer and work on radios and internet. I mostly plan and manage but there are times when I get my hands dirty with the "work" and that's really my favorite part. I am from St. Louis and have three kids, Sophia, Blair and Trevor and a wife, Missy. I work full time for the Missouri National Guard in St. Louis.
I hope this email finds you well and with smiles on your faces. PEACE and LOVE!!!
Respectfully,
CPT JOHN *****
"WORKHORSE 9"

Debbie,
I wanted to let you know that I received all your care packages with the Christmas stockings. One word - WOW! Thank you so much for your generosity to our troops!!
The following is some of the groups that received some of the stockings:
Wounded Warrior Clinic
Explosive Ordinance Disposal
Ariel Porters
Base Hospital
Base Contacting and Legal
Dog Handlers
Some extras were given to the USO to distribute to additional troops at Kandahar.
Everyone was very excited to receive the stockings. We are grateful to folks like you that support us each and every day. Please pass on our thanks to your entire organization.
Thanks again and best regards.
MSgt Chad ****

Good Morning,
I just wanted to send a quick email and thank your organization for all
you've done for the soldiers of 3ID who have been receiving your care
packages while stationed in Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Your
packages bring a smile to the face of many soldiers and it is definitely
appreciated. I along with SSG Mancill personally hung your beautiful
cards throughout the entire office for everyone to enjoy.
As I sit writing this email one of the 3ID officers approached me and
stated that he didn't know so many people still cared and was very
overwhelmed by the ongoing support and care. That gave me even more of a
reason to let you know just how much you all are appreciated. Thank you
so much!
Sheila

Hello,
My name is Cullen. I'm in the Air force and stationed in
Afghanistan. We received your care package today with socks, assorted
candy and other moral items, and I just wanted to say thank you so much.
It means the world to me and the guys I'm here with to receive these things - it
makes being away from our family and friends around this time just a little
easier.
On a side note, I am actually from a little south of Joliet a town
called Kankakee. I'm sure if you haven't been there you at least know of it
haha. So it's really awesome to receive something from so close to home. But
I'll wrap this up by saying thanks so much it really means a lot to all of us -
keep up the amazing work.
Merry Christmas and happy new years
God bless
Cullen

Operation Care Package,
I wanted to send a quick to note to thank all of you for your patriotic and thoughtful efforts! I received one of you care packages a couple of days ago and was moved by the care, attention, and thought that were put into it. It is people like you that motivate military personnel to do what we do. Thank you all for taking time out of your day to think of us!
Please continue what you are doing! Here is wishing you all Happy Holidays!
Chris

All,
Appreciate what you all do. I speak for all of us here in Iraq when I say thank you and keep up the good work. We really appreciate it. We always look forward to mail day, which comes once a week here. Thanks again.
v/r
Rick

Here's a picture we took the other day (our official deployment
photograph) We have quite a lot of people! Thanks again, we just received a
couple more packages today with stockings.. I'm passing them out to my
people as soon as we get them, and it definitely makes their day!! I can't
thank you enough!
Lt ******

I just wanted to say thank you for the care package. It is wonderful to
know that we are in your thoughts and prayers. Have a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year.
V/R
CW2 Jonnathan

The packages from Operation Care Package began arriving this week. Thank you so very much for your support to the troops. They have the exact effect I'd hoped for. The guys have come to develop an unspoken policy of opening these packages in front of everyone, so the items of each box are shared with all upon arrival.
You are all wonderful people. So many organizations, groups, and individuals were represented in those care packages. Very heartwarming. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Truly,
Tim

Debbie and team,
We just got a package from you!!! We opened it up and were so excited! The food and supplies were instantly dispersed to all the airmen! They were all so excited! Now we have the coffee brewer as a free Christmas raffle! I’ll send you a picture of it soon!
You guys are all way too sweet, and just know that you made a huge difference with that package! Thank you so much!!! You are helping to make their Christmas a great one even though they’re apart from their families!
-Thomas and the Gamblers

To All,
I'm Petty Officer First Class ****, United States Navy. I'm
currently on watch in Shindand, Afghanistan. I received a care package here
with all kinds of greetings, snacks and good ol' warmth from all of you. I
tried to find every email address though some I could not read. However,
please share my email and joy to everybody you know.
I want each and every
one of you to know that I do what I do because it gives me great pride. I'm
very proud to serve my country and would do it all over again if I had the
chance. I'm currently over sixteen years of service and wish I could do
another sixteen. I reside in Florida with my beautiful wife and five boys. I
know the hurt of missing my family but I know the happiness of walking off
that plane and into their arms as well. I've got big plans to do some
fishing with my boys and spending time with my best friend, my wife.
I can't
tell you all how much it means to us to see the caring you all provide. It
does bring tears to a grown mans eyes but those are happiness tears and
tears to be thankful that we live in the greatest nation with the greatest
people.
I will be on "watch" so I want you to have a very Merry Christmas, a
Happy Holiday Season and of course a Happy New Year. God Bless each and
every one of you and your families.
UT1 ******
Camp Commandant

To all of our Friends (too many to name) at Operation Care Package, and the numerous schools, churches, organizations, businesses and patriotic Americans who take their time, effort and resources to give back to all of us deployed overseas around the world.
We love you all and appreciate the sacrifice you and your family make every day as well, along with the love, prayers and joy you extend to all of us overseas.
God bless you and Happy Holidays to all of you, especially Natalie for the lovely Christmas card. :)
Respectfully,
CDR James ******, SC, USN
Umm Qasr, Iraq Site Lead

Hi Ms. Smothers,
We received a November package from you all... Thank you so much!! I know it
was very well liked -- my guys on the flightline definitely enjoyed the
sweets and treats. (The box was gone before the end of the day :) Appreciate
all the support on your end. We're going to try and send a picture your way
of all our guys (soon as I can get a copy of the photo)
Thanks again!
Lt *******

Hello,
I just wanted to thank all of you for supporting the troops and sending
out care packages. I received a care package recently from Operation
Care Package and it was a real blessing to me. It is great to know that
there are great Americans out there who are thinking about us.
Very Respectfully,
Perry *****
SFC, USA
1BCT, 101ST Airborne Division

First, I would like to say thank you for your thoughts and prayer.
Second, I would like to thank everyone involved for the Christmas package
that I received from you, it was awesome!
Third, I would like to thank
Jayden from West Elementary in Michigan for the AWESOME coloring that he
sent me!
Thanks for all the support, it makes doing what we do easier knowing that it
is appreciated by the people back home!
Respectfully,
SSG L *******
Rangers Lead The Way!

Hey, Debbie!
Just want to thank you and let you know that I received a
Care Package with several Christmas stockings stuffed with goodies today. I had enough to give everyone that I work with a stocking. It was really cool and much appreciated. We have them hanging up in our office.
Thanks again and Have a Merry Christmas!!!
Thank You,
Jason *****
Fire Prevention Specialist

Greetings!!!
I just received your christmas package and read each message from each of you with the blessings, kind words and items to support the troops. I shared my gift package with other troops that make their day and forwarded what we have in excess to the troops on the forward lines. We don't have the words to express the moments of happiness we have each day from these kind words and gifts. It makes the difference in a mood, day and overall morale in the troops that receive your gift boxes.
I have a picture to attach to show my thankful face that doesn't give any any infomation to keep with military law.
Linda & Diane,
Thank you for the quilt!!
If I get to take a picture of me using it to keep warm, I'll send a picture!!!
Thank you once again.
Kevin

Thank you for your the packages that you send to my fellow comrades.
You definitely placed a smile on our face especially with the Golf Clubs. We
were ecstatic. Same goes for all the other items.
Again, thank you for
all that you do for all of the troops overseas. God bless you all.
v/r
W01 ****, Christian

Hello there!
I wanted to pass along my sincere appreciation for the care package!
I arrived in Iraq on Veteran's Day (a month later than planned) and it was waiting for me upon my arrival. I can't tell you how nice it was to read all the personal notes and to know that someone is thinking of us while we are deployed. You all are a wonderful testament to the greatness that is America. I especially appreciate the greeting cards, girl scout cookies, the glasses cleaning cloth, the sunscreen and the hand soap.
If you are looking for other ideas on what to pack, I would highly recommend some very thick hand lotion (like gold bond) as it is very dry here and the hands (and face!) take a beating. Thanks, again! I will make a point to look you up on-line.
Sincerely,
Lisa

I would like to personally thank you and your organization for supporting the 260th Engineer Support Company while over here in Afghanistan. The packages that you sent with the personal hygiene items, cookies, candy, and other snacks will be used when we go out on missions. It is a little piece of home that brings us closer while so far away. It is the great positive attitudes of Americans like you that will carry our country into the future to do great things. In the picture below are the men and women of the 260th Engineer Support Company. We salute you for taking the time to make a difference for others that matter. Please keep up the support of the troops until the last one comes home.
ROGER ********
CPT, EN, MTARNG
260 EN SPT CO
COMMANDING

Hello to all,
I would like to thank Operation Care Package for sending me a care package. I received it today. The box was heavy for its size and it was pack full of stuff. I don't think I'll unpack it all today.
Thank You for your thoughts, time, and effort in planning, collecting, packaging, and shipping these care packages to all Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen deployed. It is the small gestures of kindness and the "Thank You for your service" that brighten and uplift us in Uniform.
Thank you,
SSG William *****

Debbie and everyone else with OCP
My soldiers and I just received some packages in the mail from OCP within the past few days. They are all very appreciative and wanted me to say thank you for them.Thank you for doing what you do. We all appreciate it.
-Sgt Bick
By the way we have about 60 days left out here before returning back home to Illinois.

I am deployed to Iraq to fulfill our Security Assistance Mission. Here is a picture of me in a Huey flying over Baghdad to meet our Iraqi Air Force Counter-parts. We are helping them build a strong military so that we don't have to come back here again!
Very windy up there--no doors on the helicopter.
Very Respectfully,
Devereux *********, Capt, USAF

Ma'am,
My name is LTC ******* and I have been stationed here in Iraq since July 2012, and plan to return in late June 2013.
Yesterday at mail call I received the best care package I've ever seen, which was sent on October 11, 2012. Please know that all care packages are wonderful, but this one is the granddaddy of them all!
A fabulous care package loaded with treats, candy bars, letters of encouragement from young adults (high schoolers), younger children and adults, BBQ sauce, cards, books, DVDs, candy, a rosary (I'm Catholic), coffee, Tabasco spiced slim jims, Girlscout cookies, Guideposts magazine, and lots and lots of other wonderful things that bring us a bit of our great country.
I don't know how your team fit it all in this box! I will share this box with our other Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines stationed here and know that they too have just received similar care packages, likely from OCP.
I've heard about your organization since 2006 when I first deployed to Afghanistan, and received packages then as well. Reading your website, I see that you exist in part on donations from the general public. I can assure you that we do not feel forgotten, and OCP plays a major part of that.
Please know that we very much appreciate these care packages, and I want to thank you for everything you do to support our men and woman stationed away from home.
Thank you again for all you do, and thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
Our warmest regards to you and your wonderful organization.
Respectfully, Douglas *******

Hello there!
Just wanted to let you all know that we did receive your care package and are very thankful for you kindness.
Your package arrived safe and sound to our little base here in central Baghdad just across the street from the US Embassy.
It is through the kindness of people like you that brings smiles to our faces here in Iraq and reminds us that we are still being thought of.
Have a wonderful day!
Captain Steve ******
US Army
Baghdad, Iraq

Debbie and the OCP Gang!
I have received your package today. Thank you sooo much!!
Your continued support raises our morale constantly. I cannot thank you enough for what you have and continue to do for us. I wish to inform you, I will be coming home soon,
My replacement will be at this same address. His name is Ephraim *******. He will be here during the holidays. I would like to let you know this so not to send any more packages in my name but if you can with his name, I'm sure he will be surprised and very thankful.
Thank you so much.
v/r
Eric ******

My name is CPT V. ****** and I am the company commander for
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd
Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT!) out of Fort
Campbell, KY. My company and I are currently deployed to Afghanistan in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
I received 2 boxes from you ladies today and I wanted to say thank you
so much for all the goodies inside. I have *** people in my company and
the Soldiers are definitely grateful to get packages from home, and from
people like you who support and care about us!
Again, thank you so very much! We appreciate the support.
V/R,
CPT V. *******

Dear Debbie and all at Operation Care Package,
I am not sure how I was put on your list of Soldiers to receive packages but thank you, myself and my Soldiers have enjoyed them.
I am a Sergeant First Class serving as the Platoon Sergeant for the Distribution Platoon in Dakota Troop 3-61 CAV in Afghanistan. The picture is my platoon in front of our gun trucks, I am on the far right. Our mission is to deliver supplies to the Squadron's Troops on the Forward Operating Bases. I joined the Army originally partly to serve our country and partly because my Grandfather served in Europe during WWII. I continue to serve for the same reasons.
I would again like to thank you all for the packages that you have sent to me and for all of the packages that you send and continue to send. I also need to let you know to not send any more packages to me as I will be headed home in November. I changed units about three months into the deployment so you have me listed with 4IBCT, 4ID. Thank you.
Regards,
Thomas ******

Hi Everyone,
I'd like to extend my sincere appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to all of you, and the men, women, boys and girls of Operation Care Package in Joliet, IL, who take time out of their busy lives to make a difference in our lives over here in Iraq.
I am the Site Lead or Base Commander for Contingency Operating Base (COB) Umm Qasr, Iraq. We are located within the Iraqi Naval Base Umm Qasr.
The care package you sent is very much appreciated by all of the camp's population, as it is distributed to non-US military members after the military has taken out items they want to keep. :) We have many Third Country Nationals on our camp who provide security and other services to us, and do not make as much money as our American armed forces. So everything they can get from other sources is a blessing.
Please know that what you all do does not go unnoticed and is well received by all here in Iraq.
Thanks again for your prayers and support. We pray that your families will be richly rewarded and highly favored beyond your expectation.
God bless you! Loved little Aeries's hand outline.
Sincerely,
CDR J *******
Supply Corps, United State Navy

Dear friends,
We want to express our sincere gratitude for the packages your organization sent us. We are deeply touched that so many Americans, despite busy lives of their own, would take the time to think about some of the men and women overseas. It really shows what a wonderful country we have and it serves as a clear reminder of why we are over here.
I wanted you to see the recipients of your kindness, so I am attaching a photo of our section. We work as military planners for the Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq, located in Baghdad. In the photo, you see our team.
Again, we greatly appreciate the packages and your efforts to remind us that while we serve in distant lands away from our families, we have such a great country that has not forgotten us.
In kindest regards,
******
LTC, AV, US Army

Dear friends,
I will take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you.
I was the one who received your wonderful care package.
You all provided the very reason why I have served for 27 years and counting.
May God Bless you and keep you safe.
Sincerely ,
Kurt
P.S. The Army made me strong, God made me stronger

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your thoughtfulness and the care packages. It truly makes things easier when we know folks still think and support us back home. As you can imagine, some things are quite challenging in a deployed environment but the love that is evident in the boxes are truly a day brightener.
I have attached a picture of my team so you can see the smiles you brought to our faces. As you can see, we are three Active Duty Military and two contractors. We (military) are all on one year deployments and as the lone Air Force member and leader of my team I often find myself outnumbered. However, I have chalked it up to a leadership challenge and an opportunity to broaden my Army colleagues horizons. The days have been long and the challenges numerous but we continue to support each other in the absence of family and friends.
Thank you again for your generosity and may God continue to bless you and your loved ones.
Very respectfully,
******USAF

Wow... so today, the 1st Sargeant is going through mail call and I get
up to go back to work, but the first person called is my name.
I didn't expect anything since last week my girlfriend had sent me a
little package with toiletries and snacks. But, here it is. A nice,
heavy package full of something the greatest things I have ever seen.
Let me say that everything in this box is going to be eaten probably
within the week (except the socks and toiletries). But, I am just so
thankful that we have amazing people back at home that took time out
of their day to send me something.
Words can't describe that feeling.
It's hard, even in our great country to find strangers helping
strangers. I am truly humbled and appreciative. Thank you.
Some people who did not give out emails but I wanted to say thank you
to Aeries:), Tim, Jared, Lois, and another name I, unfortunately, can't
read... looks like Val??
Trisha, I will make sure to keep kicking ass, as long as these asses
keep being one. I promise to bring mine back too!
Debbie, last year I
did Tough Mudder, which was one of the hardest things I have done in
my life, but I was blessed to do it along side wounded warriors and
true heroes, in my eyes. Also, Go Air Force! Jamie, I hope this is a
speedy one as well. I have a beautiful girlfriend and a 9 month old
puppy i need to get back to.
Once again, thank you so for much for everything. God bless everyone
of you and I will never forget your kindness. If you don't mind, I'll
be paying it forward to some of my airman tomorrow before we head out.
Stay safe, pray for my brothers and sisters everywhere, and for our
leaders.
Forever humbled by your hearts,
SSgt ********, USAF

Ladies,
First off, let me say that it warms my heart to know there are still people back home who haven't forgotten that America is still at war. And that means our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, DoD civilians, contractors, and other government agency types.....(have I left anyone out?) are still deployed in harm's way. So to think that you take the time out of your days to solicit, collect, gather, separate, bag, package, stuff, pack, tape, address, haul, and mail these care packages (and I'm sure I left out at least 20 other elements off this list) is nothing less than awesome! I can't say thank you enough!
I look forward to the day when I can put this country in my rearview mirror, but until then, I will enjoy all of the items you've sent me. I hope all of your loved ones who are deployed return home to you safely and soon.
Thank you again,
Craig

Miss Debbie,
I wanted to start of by thanking you and the entire Operation Care
Package Group for thinking of us. The boxes we received are greatly
appreciated, and a great morale booster. All of us onboard USS Iwo Jima
would like to extend our thanks to those back home who are supporting us
while we are away from home. Even the smallest of gestures makes this
deployment easier. So again, thank you for all that you do.
LCpl *****

I am a retired Sergeant who is still serving this great nation as a
contractor after 22 short years as a member of the United States Army. I am
station at FOB Sharana, Afghanistan and just yesterday received a short
note from your area support group dedicated to the soldiers of this great
nation. I am writing to you to let you know that the majority of your
goodies went to the troops of the 82nd Airborne Division Station at Fort
Bragg, North Carolina. I was lucky enough to get a candy bar and the most
precious piece of material within the box; your letters. It is amazing how
we still have people that cares about our troops who are giving up their
freedom and time to be with their families in order to support our country.
From the bottom of my heart, from all the soldiers at the 82nd Airborne
Division, and from the incoming soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division
(Fort Riley, Kansas) we thank you for taking the time to pray not just for
the soldiers but for Soldier, Government Civilians, and for the Contractor
who are still serving this great nation. God Bless you all and once again
Thank you.
"We Care"
V/r
Carlos

My name is EOD1 Brendan *****
I am a US Navy Bomb Disposal
Technician that is over here in Afghanistan, and I am the fortunate
recipient of one of your care packages that you sent overseas. I
wanted to thank you for taking the time to gather everything and mail
it over to me. I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate that. I
am in a rather remote area and we don't get a lot of mail out here as
a result, but it was like a mini-Christmas to get a care package from
you. Everything in that box has been put to use by me and the other
guys out here. It was great to get all those treats, magazines, and
much needed toiletry items. Thank you again for taking the time to do
that for me and many other guys here in Afghanistan. We all appreciate
that very much. You take care and thank you again.
Cheers,
Brendan *****
PS: I know it says you are a Proud Army Sis, so I hope you don't mind
supporting a Navy guy like myself. If it helps I am attached to an
Army unit, so some of the goodies went to them as well.

Everyone,
I just received a box from Operation Care Package, this is a great program with a great cause. This is the fifth box I have received in my 6 months away, from various organizations like yourself. I appreciate every single one and all the hard work, time and dedication that goes into preparing and sending these packages. I am so glad to know that the people back home (that don't even know us) think about the troops in their absence. You can tell Margaret that the socks I received are a perfect match and I am wearing them as I type. I really appreciate the letter, it painted a picture of home for me. I can't wait to see the green grass or brown grass or SNOW! lol I'm sure you guys will beat 1300 dinners with your delicious spaghetti once the word gets out. You're all such great people.
A special thanks goes out to all of you from all of us.

I wanted to drop you a line and say thank you for the wonderful care package I received today. It was a box of sunshine from the US and really made my day. I can honestly say I never thought I would be excited to receive a box with plain white sox in it! The shear variety of snacks, books, and care items was truly amazing.
Thank you for the package!
Mike USN

Thank you very much for the care package and the letters that you sent me! I am very grateful for people like you who do so much to support us!! I truly believe that you are the unsung heroes
that don’t get the credit that you deserve for what you do for us.
I will share the package with my fellow Marines and they all said to thank you as well!! I hope that you are well and know that we will be keeping you in our prayers as well from now on!
Thank you so much again!!
Chris
Semper Fidelis

THANK YOU!
Yesterday I received a package from OPERATION CARE PACKAGE. I cannot tell you how much something so simple means to those of us out here. Thank you for taking the time to put together the wonderful package with treats and fond reminders of home. The included notes and letters warmed my heart and came on a day when I really needed a little bit "extra."
Yesterday my son had surgery (nothing major, thank God), but of course that means nothing to a mother who is too far away to hold her son's hand and be there when he wakes up. Opening the package was a little like Christmas in August, brought smiles to my face, and kept my mind off my personal situation if even for a little while. Thank you so much for making this difficult day a little easier!
It humbles me that after all these year since 9/11/01, that so many still support our troops so strongly. I guess it's because the news never reports the
support, and makes it seem like our country has forgotten we are over here. The OPERATION CARE PACKAGE team is amazing and I appreciate all you do for us Servicemebers over here. Thank you for not forgetting.
Thank you again and God Bless!
*** *******

I received a wonderful package from OCP today - what a surprise!
On behalf of the men and women serving here in Iraq, those in Afghanistan, and all the Airman, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and Department of Defense Civilians serving around the globe, THANK YOU! Knowing that there are Americans who are willing to take time out of their busy lives to think about us means a lot.
The next time I get home I hope I get a chance to visit Joliet and maybe even catch a race at the speedway! By the way, please pass along my thanks to Trish, Fern, Gini, Lyn, DJ, Lois, Joan, Heather, Donna, Carol, Kathy, Laurie, Kathryn, Irene, Rebecca, Cassondra, Mariah, Leah, and the whole gang.
Warmest Regards,
Pete

I just want to say how much we appreciate your dedication and service to the
men and women of the armed services. The other day our team received your
package and we've already eaten most of it. Luckily, I won the battle for
the gummy bears and sunflower seeds, but lost the coin toss for the Dave's
BBQ sauce.
Thank you for everything you do - it's always makes our day when we receive
mail...it means a lot to us.
God bless!
Nathan "Nate" ******
Iraq

Debbie,
Today I got the OCP care package and the content put a big smile in my face
My name is SSG Rafael *** and I've been in the U.S. Army reserve for 19 years.
My reserve U.S. Army unit is from Puerto Rico and we are doing our part here in theater.
I'd like to thank you all for taking your time to support us so Hat's off to all of you.
PS. Thanks for the cookies, M&m's and socks :)
SSG. Rafael *****
******
USAR

I want to personally Thank everyone of you for the care package that you
send to us. Words can't explain the gratitude that we feel for your
support of the American war fighter. We do what we do because of great
Americans like you. With that said, again THANK YOU !
Hurricane 3/3 out
V/R
SSG Michael *******

Please thank all the fine personnel at Operation Care Package. Their
care, effort and time are greatly appreciated by all in the section.
Receiving mail is always a definite morale boost around here. The treats
and snacks go fast.
V/R
CPT **** Mc.....

My name is Angela *******,
I am currently at FOB Gamberi- Afghanistan. I received my third care package a couple of days ago! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! What u guys do is awesome!! Thanks for all the love and support! Every care package that u guys send makes my day!
I also wanted to let you know that I am well stocked for the rest of my deployment! thanks again!! ♥ :) God bless you and those who work with you.
Angie

Hello,
I just wanted to let you know that I received two care packages from you today. Thanks so much for all the goodies, socks ,CD's ,cards, and hygiene products. I truly love the cans of Chef Boyardee...LOL... My personal favorite! They will not go to waste and I will definitely share the wealth with the rest of the guys and gals that work in my area.
I especially want to thank the people that put the packages together. The best I can tell that would be you, of course, Trisha, Fern, Cindy, Christy Pina, Gail, Sandy, Fran, Giu,Tami ,Paul, Jared, Dylan, and Dawson Swearenger. If I missed anybody please thank them for me as well.
Again thanks so much for sending them to me and thank you so much for all you do for the troops. I know everyone here appreciates what you are doing and it does make a difference. Take Care!
Thank You,
Jason

Good Evening,
Thank you all so much for the care packages! They came at a great time
and we will definitely get good use out of them. You folks definitely
collected a wide range of items that will serve a purpose out here.
The letters in the package are right about the weather here, it is
typically between 105-112F every day. With the Kevlar layers and plates
in our body armor, it can be pretty bad. In the two months I have been
here, it has rained once for about 30 minutes. We even felt an
earthquake a week ago, but nothing to cause any harm. One great thing
is there are virtually no mosquitoes, just lizards, snakes, and camel
spiders.
I think it is pretty cool that you are in Joliet and the Chicago area.
My best friend played football at Saint Francis and my sister lives in
Plainfield, so I have spent some time in the area before joining the
Navy. My parents still live in Melrose Park. I have even been to some
of the Famous Dave's restaurants several times. After this deployment,
I will be leaving Norfolk, VA and heading back to the Chicago area to
work at Naval Station Great Lakes.
Thanks again for the packages!
Sincerely,
Nate ******

Thank you for All of your thoughts and prayers. The box that you sent was very thoughtful and meant a lot. I shared a lot of it with the other soldiers because I know everybody don't get anything. I helps me become one with soldiers that I never knew and get closer to those I did know. Its amazing how the smallest things can bring people together. My wife and kids thank you as well. Thank you for everything God Bless you all!!!!
SPC ******

On behalf of myself and my team, I would like to say THANK YOU!! Thank
you for all your support back at home and all the letters we read. The
holidays, to include Summer, are a million times better when we have
your packages to open. Knowing that we have your support and prayers
definitely make a difference in our day to day operations. Once again, I
would like to express our gratitude by saying Thank You very much!
V/R,
SSG ********, Ruben

Friends,
I just wanted to say thank you for all you do!
Your kindness has helped the men and women of Camp Eggers through SOME
difficult moments physically and emotionally.
Here's a few pictures to put faces behind the care packages and
contributions to send.
We are truly blessed to have friends and advocates like you back home.
V/r
LARNELL *. *********, Major, USAF

My name is Lt Stephen ******* and I, along with my Marines, just received care packages from your organization. Thank you so much for your generosity. Mail days are always highlights out here. I most appreciated the socks. We go through them pretty quickly.
We are currently located in Central Helmand. It is quite warm out here. I'm from Oklahoma, and I hear from my folks yall are having a pretty warm summer in the US as well.
The Freedom Run sounds like a great event. I've never been to Illinois, but I think a trip to the memorial is defiantly on the “to do” list.
Once again, thank you. For a total stranger to take the time to send us packages is fantastic and much appreciated.
Take care,
Stephen

I just received your package and cannot thank you enough!
It is people like you that bring a smile to our faces and make us feel so
appreciated. I cannot tell you how much that means to us; there are about
20+ of us in our flight and the Airmen just love when we get care packages.
We all gather around when they get opened and it's like a bunch of hyenas
waiting for a treat. Lol. A bunch of happy hyenas. : )
The weather has been pretty hot, today it got up to 106; I heard that
November is the rainy month over here. Luckily, I will get to go home right
before Christmas so I can be with my family.
Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart,
Tracy
V/R,
MSgt ********

Operation Care Package fans,
Thank you very much for your care package from the troops located in
Farah, Afghanistan. Please accept the attached picture as a personalized
thank you! We really appreciate your support!
V/R,
Marc
CPT, AV

Just wanted to drop a line an say Thank You for the care packages. They are
much appreciated and, by the way, they disappear, have all the right stuff, and
are thoroughly appreciated.
I am one of the group with SGM T. ******. Thank
you for your support, it does make the separation from family and home feel
much more worthwhile knowing there are people out there that care. Thank You
again
"Bob"
Robert ********
LTC, FA

Hello Debbie and the OCP gang!!
(Debbie can you please forward to everyone involved??).
I just received a package full of goodies and wanted to drop you a quick note. I'm a platoon sergeant for a route clearance engineer platoon from Montana. We are a national guard unit deployed to camp leatherneck, Afghanistan for 9 months.
On behalf of 2nd Platoon, 260th Engineer Company, I want to extend a very strong THANK YOU!!! We have been here since June 20th, so we have a long time left before we go home. Things are going well. It's very hot, as you probably expected to hear, but we are adjusting very well. We started running our route clearance missions and things there are also going well. We have a dangerous job clearing the routes for convoys to travel down. We have a great group of kids and young adults here, which means I'm pleased with the maturity level of my platoon.
I'm a 32 year old happily married father of 3 boys, 5, 3.5, and 2. My wife has her hands full so when you pray for us please include my wife and all the other spouses. Several Soldiers left their families for the first time so we do have some homesick individuals. I have 4 young Soldiers who will miss the birth of a child due to this deployment so please pray for them also.
Thanks again for the package and spending your personal time taking care of the troops!!
SFC Morgan ********

On behalf of my shop here in Afghanistan, I and many others want to thank you for taking time out of your day to send us all these goodies! I for one am thankful for all the socks haha, We are currently Re-Deploying back the the states now, so just a few more weeks till we can start getting fat off fast food and beer!
Me and my counterparts are sorry we couldent respond the months prior due to being extreamly busy and little free time before passing out and waking up to do it all over again :)..but now that we are pretty much finished I don't know what do with myself, I just received one of your care packages (among the many through out deployment) about 5 min ago and happened to be by a computer, so I wanted to say thank you!
Please don't be upset if you don't get too many emails responding to your care packages, everyday is a long one for us all. I have been to alot of different places around Afghanistan and believe me I see all the stuff you guys send in all the offices and hangout spots all around and it makes a big difference!
Again Thank You,
Your Friend
SPC ******, Preston

Hello, my name is SGT Adam **** and I have recently received a care package from Operation Care Package and your email address was attached to it.
First let me say "Thank You". Receiving packages from complete strangers (although we are not strangers anymore ) is such a great feeling, I compare it to a child getting excited on Xmas morning. It is a combination of excitement and humbling at the same time. We don't feel like we are doing anything special when we deploy, just our jobs and for Americans to recognize that is awesome and sometimes a little embarrassing, but in a good way.
I wouldn't change a thing about being in the military, and having to leave my family for trainings and deployments. This is my 4th deployment, 3rd away from my wife. And although our lives are put on hold for months at a time my wife and I love this lifestyle.
A little bit about myself. I enlisted because of 9/11 and chose to be a medic. I have never worked in a hospital or clinic, I prefer being a line medic. I am currently attached to a Calvary Scout platoon out of FT Lewis. I just reenlisted for the 4th time, for another 5 years, which will give me 15 yrs in when this contract expires, although I fully intend on doing 20 yrs. I have been stationed in Texas twice, Germany and now Washington. With my latest enlistment my wife and I will be headed to Hawaii. So enough about me. lol
Again, thank you for what you do. Your packages really do make a difference in the daily lives of Soldiers. We really do appreciate everything that you do for us. Thanks again.
Adam ****

Thank you for volunteering with operation care package. My Soldiers and I recently received a few packages from you guys and it really meant a lot to us. I know all of you work very hard to make sure we recognize your appreciate and I wanted you to know it didn't go unnoticed. Conditions for Soldiers these days aren't nearly as bad as they were even a few years ago, but it still means a lot to hear from people back home! A year can be a long time from family, friends, and even just the comfort of being around what we're used to. The notes, snacks, and other supplies make it a little easier.
I hope all of you stay safe and enjoy the summer. If you have any family or friends that are in the military, I wish them the best and safety as well. Happy Independence Day!
Go America!
Once again, thank you so much!
1LT Patrick *******

Good afternoon all,
I would like to thank each and everyone of you all and everyone else that had a hand in this package that i received today!! Today is a day to celebrate, drink a little, BBQ and have a great time with friends and family and even though i am over seas thousands of miles away from all that and here at work. At first i was a little sad and upset at having to be at work on such an occasion but when the mail came and i received your package it made today fantastic!! It reminded me that even though i am here at work on the 4th of July and so far from family and friends, it's all for a good and satisfing reason. I am thankful everyday for people like you all, it remind me why I do the things I do and the sacrifices i make.

I loved everything in the package. it was put together with so much thought and true appreciation. I absolutely LOVED the cards from "Cards for troops to send home" it was so creative and cool. I'm a big card person and am sending home a card every chance i get, so these cards will definately be put to use. The quilt idea is awesome!! Blankets/quilts are always needed as they help to provide privacy from all the other people that reside in our room with us.

I just wanted to write each of you and express my appreciation. It means alot to know we are not over here just for the heck of it and to know we are not forgotten. What you all do for us is priceless and means the world to us. So thank you from the bottom of my heart and thank you from everyone else that has received one of your packages. Have a great 4th of July and drink one for me. :)

Tara

I just wanted to thank you guys at Operation care package for everything your doing.
My name is PFC ******** and i recently received a package from you guys here at FOB Tillman, highlight of my day. We are in a very isolated area and mail is one of the most important things to us. The feeling i get when I get word from home or even from a random person sending their thanks for what we do is impossible to put in to words. It lets me know that there's people out there who really appreciate what we're doing. Thanks again
PFC *******

I just wanted to THANK YOU again for your thoughtfulness and caring in sending my son a package! He was so surprised (pleasantly of course) and excited to receive it - and it happened to arrive right after a suspension on their mail drops had been lifted. Perfect timing! Anyway, thank you so much for including him - he was very appreciative and asked that I let you all know. I am not sure if he will be able to send a personal thank you, however please accept mine on his behalf if he does not have the opportunity.
What you are all doing is admirable - those guys and gals absolutely LOVE receiving mail and hearing from "home". From what Ryan says that is the highlight of most days...keep up the great work, and please if there is any way that I may be of assistance, do not hesitate to let me know :)
Many thanks -
Stephanie ********

To the Team at OCP, reserves, regulars & all volunteers past and present,
Although it doesn't come close to the gratitude i can express, I wanted to take a second and simply say 'thanks'.
I've been in the USAF for 12 years now. In 2006 I started deploying to the middle east. OCP continues up to this day to be a slice of home. I open up the packages while deployed and they make me smile as they remind me of what my mom would send me in college....seemingly random but totally heartfelt very useful stuff. Still makes me laugh.
I also cannot tell you how many Airmen in southwest Asia whose hearts you've helped warm during holidays deployed. Once you sent a care package with 20+ christmas stockings. As the crew commander, I didn't say anything about having them. I waited until midnight on the 24th to hang them on their doors. I waited for a few of them to come out. They smiled and it helped us forget where we were for awhile.
I could write volumes more about how much your efforts have kept us going but I'll spare you the pain. Haha.
Honestly though, thanks from all of us.
You are doing more than you know and more than we could ever thank you for.
With Gratitude,
Jason *******, Maj USAF

Hello,
My name is SFC Julia *****. I just wanted to send out a big
"Thank You" for the cards for troops to send home program. I got a pack
in the mail yesterday and used them all the first day I got back from
R&R. They come in so useful for family and also for writing back the
people who choose to write us while we are here. Just wanted to say
thanks for the care packages and that we appreciate anything that makes
our lives easier over here.
Thank you for your support! The cards and
packages are wonderful~

Good Morning,
My team and I recently opened a care package with the above email
addresses within a letter. As such, I would like to extend our
appreciation for the gifts you all put together and sent out here to
Afghanistan. It is always nice to receive things and know that we have
the support of our fellow Americans back home. Thank you from my team
and myself here at Torkham Gate, Afghanistan.

Operation Care Package,
Good Morning from Kuwait! I'm 1LT Arin *******, the Battalion Adjutant
for 4-5 Air Missile Defense deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. One of my
duties (that I love) as the Battalion Adjutant is thanking all of our
supporters and care package senders from back home.

We received the package your group sent to us yesterday and I would like
to tell you a little bit about what happens to donated items when we
receive them here at Camp Arifjan. The Battalion Commander or Executive
Officer will get a package and open it, then it is turned over to me for
"inspection" where I ensure that there are no contraband items (I have
yet to find any!). Once that important step is complete, I will remove
the shipping labels as a safety precaution, then I place the items on
our "Free Table" that is located in the hallway of our Battalion's
Command Group building. From there it's a rush for the Soldiers to get
the items.

What's wonderful to see, and I love passing this along, is that it is
common to hear the Soldier's say "SPC Smith needs razors, give these to
him." Or, "SGT Jones loves these cookies, I'll grab a box for her." Not
only are they deployed to his dusty and dry desert, away from their
families, but they still act unselfishly and remember those they work
with. Not one item goes to waste.

So to Debbie, Pat, Trish, Fern, Gini, Lyn, DJ, Lois, Joan, Heather,
Donna, Carol, Kathy, Laurie, Irene, and Cheryl - THANK YOU FOR YOUR
DEVOTION AND SUPPORT, not just to us, but to everyone you send boxes of
love to!

Debbie and Pat, could you please distribute this email to all of your
assistants, I would like them to know how much we appreciate them here
at 4-5 AMD!
Thank you so much,
1LT *******, Arin

Operation Care Package,
I would like to Thank each and every one of you for what you are doing for our troops. I know it brings a smile to each and every service member your care packages reach. It brought one to mine, to know that complete strangers that have no idea what you are doing, but care enough to take the time out of their lives to bring a smile to a face they have never met, says a lot about what the organization is doing. Please pass on the word to Trisha that I hope her "old" suburban is doing better, and her mechanic didn't charge her an arm and a leg for the repairs given what the vehicle brings smiles 6k miles away.
There was a donation made by a Mr. and Mrs. Dale ***** (spelling?) from I believe what says Chrisman, IL, if they contact your organization again or have the contact info can you please thank Mr. Dale for me, he is a WWII veteran. Thank You
v/r
Peter
SGT U.S. ARMY
Kandahar, AFG

Ma'am,
On behalf of CH Nielson, the Soldiers of Task Force Mountain Warrior,
and myself, Thank You for your continued support of Our Troops. We
received your latest packages of personal hygiene products and snacks.
It is truly a blessing when we receive a little piece of home from great
folks like yourselves.
God Bless and keep you all in His favor.
V/R,
SSG Kevin

Good morning everyone with OCP,
I just wanted to say thanks for the box that you sent which I was able
to receive prior to mail being cut off here in country for my birthday
on the 27th of this month. We are in full transition now as a unit for
changes at the helm here. Soldiers with 1st Infantry Division have
already arrived and Soldiers from our unit have already started heading
home. Not sure if I will be back in Germany by Father's day or not yet.
Time will tell. My replacement hasn't arrived yet but I am expected in
to be here by the weekend. I am still working at a fairly high OPTEMPO
because of missions are still going on throughout the transition with
the Afghan partners here. But I am ready to go home and see my wife and
son (nine months next month). Look forward to seeing them both and
being able to enjoy a weekend ... 3 hrs off on Sunday doesn't really cut
it. Planning on a trip to Italy and Belgium for leave.
I have attached a group picture from work I am standing in the back. Also pictured are a couple UAVs that the Brigade used
through the deployment; I called them the "Sound of Freedom" I could
hear it coming from about 4 miles away or farther depending on the wind
direction. But it is time for chow.
Take care and thanks again for all of the support that your provide to
all of us overseas!
V/r
J

I just wanted to share a few photos of the proud men and women you have
touched.
Thank you ALL for your heartfelt generosity!
Our Post Exchange is experiencing shortages in every area due to the
continued conflict with Pakistan. The majority of our supplies flow
through its borders. Your "Care Packages" are providing our troops
with the essentials plus morale building supplies that make our days
bearable.
Camp Eggers thanks you for remembering us.
You all have made friends forever.
V/r
LAR *******, Major, USAF

Im lcpl andrew ***** with 2/5 golf company, im part of the scout sniper platoon.
Your package full of goodies and socks just got here, and I want to thank you all for your gift. On that note,
I just put on the pair of white socks that just came in the box, and they feel way better then the pair
I had on for 3 days straight.
I'm sure me and the rest of the platoon will kill off all the candy and all the good stuff in the box before the end of the week.
I'm happy to know there are people back in the US that care enough to send us these wonderful gifts.
Thank you very much.

Hi Debbie & Pat
Just want to send you both a little note to say thank you for
the wonderful packages we received from you all. The soldiers went crazy
as I walked into my office carrying 2 large packages announcing that I
had goodies for them. It was like Christmas around here.
It meant a lot to the soldiers that folks like yourselves actually are thinking about
us over here. Those packages sparked a huge increase in moral.
Please
thank all of you staff for making these packages and signing your letter
head with words of encouragement. That goes a long ways among all of the
troops that OPERATION CARE PACKAGE supports. Once again thank you and I
hope you continue to do what you do best.. and that's taking care of
soldiers.
V/R
SGM Tim ******

I got a care package that was really great from operation care package & I just wanted to thank all of you for all the hard work that I know goes into each package.
This care package had a canister of sweet tea mix (WHICH I'M TRULY GRATEFUL FOR - it's my favorite), a monster can of Chili Hot Beans (which will come in extremely handy since we got so much chicken and rice on MEDEVAC shift that we are currently sick of it and the Chili Hot Beans is about to get consumed), and last BUT DEFINATELY NOT LEAST....the humbling socks in that care package that had the stickers on each pair with a note written from great individuals - even a WWII veteran and a Vietnam veteran. I wished I had all of their addresses so I could write to each of them :)
So to each of you wonderful people, my hat is off to you and it is I who salutes you for trying your very best to take care of us some 4,000 miles away from home on the other side of the world :)
Lisa C.

Debbie and Pat
Hi! Thank you for the wonderful box of snacks you sent to us. We did not hesitate in consuming them. It's always humbling and gratifying to receive gifts and snacks from people who give thought to the Soldiers serving abroad.
Thank you again for your generosity.
1LT ********

I wanted to send a thank you for the care package we received a few weeks ago, and truly, just for your thoughtfulness in reaching out to the service members around the world.
We know it's not an easy task to run such a program especially when donations and volunteers are the key ingredients. However, you seem dedicated to your calling and obviously you have a great team. With that combination, you can conquer any goal you set for yourselves.
Thank you again for the messages, the care package, and for your support.
May God bless you all.
With much appreciation,
Jim

Dear friends,
I am a 19 year old female soldier here in Afghanistan, almost at the end
of my deployment. Throughout my 10 month stay here, I have received
plenty of care packages, but the one I have received from this group on
the 14th of April has really made me smile.
This is the first time that
I have received letters where everyone has taken a part of the letter
and left small notes for the soldier who would be receiving the package.
The care-bear bag that was placed in the package is extremely cute and
looks handmade, if that is the case, my thanks to whoever took the time
to make such a wonderful thing. I also really appreciate all the snacks
and care products that were put into the package, one of my Sergeants
says thank you as well as I gave her some of the chocolate.
Thank you
again and I am sure that I speak for every soldier who receives the
packages you make when I say 'Thank you for your support and the love
that you put into everything that you do for us.'
Very respectfully,
PFC *****, Miriya
303rd MIBN TF Longhorns

I just wanted to pass along my sincerest gratitude to you for taking the
time to mail the many care packages we have received at the 3175th CM
CO.
The Soldiers certainly enjoy all the items you have sent. It makes the
job much easier when we have tremendous folks as yourselves taking the
time to show you appreciate what we do.
While missing our families and
friends is something that cannot be sent in a package, you have
succeeded in bringing joy to all the Soldiers in the unit by sharing the
letters and notes, thoughts and prayers, and giving us a piece of the
home we miss.
1SG Buck *****

Ma'am/Sir,
I would like to extend a big thank you from the bottom of my heart for the packages you sent me filled with lots and lots of goodies. To know we still have support back home makes it so much easier to be here away from family and friends. By far my favorite item in my package from Ms. Olivia, from the girl scouts. Her picture is priceless please inform her that I have placed the picture she colored for me next to my bed.
Again thank you for all your support it really means a lot.
Richard C. M, SSgt, USAF

This care package was like a breath of fresh air from the United States. I
thank you from the bottom of my heart for the time you take out of your day
to support us.
It feels good to know that we are not forgotten over here.
Please tell Cayden that I love the Valentine's Day card.
v/r,
Thomas M

Hello,
All the way from the 375th Combat Support Sustainment Brigade in Camp
Leatherneck, Afghanistan. We would like to thank ALL of you and the
WHOLE Operation Care Package and let you guys know that we appreciate
the support, the love, the prayers, motivation, encouragement, packages,
and all that you do to support us who decide to spend 9 months to a
year, sometimes longer, away from our family to come out and do what we
do best. Most of our strength and courage comes from the motivation of
you guys back at home.
God Bless you all for the loving and caring ways
you all come together to help support others. For that, we too would
like to say we love you, you are appreciated and continue showing your
love and patriotism for our GREAT country. Please share this email with
other Patriots and members of the Operation Care Package. May God bless
you all greatly.
SUPPORT THE FIGHT!

Dear Operation Care Package,
We just recieved your care package & we are very grateful for your generous gifts. The snacks were great choices, they were gone in an hour!! We appreciate your time & consideration that the care package took. Thank-you again!!
Sincerely,
GM2 Rebecca

My name is Captain Tim ******,
I am an Engineer officer in the U.S.
Army, and I want to thank you very much for the care packages and
letters you sent which arrived here in Afghanistan just the other day.
The troops over here greatly appreciate your generosity and support. It
means a lot to know that people back home are thinking of us, especially
people we do not even know. It truly lifts the spirits of all the
Soldiers here.
Your care package was sent to my location. We're up in the
mountains and share the base with a lot of Spanish military. My job is
to work with the Afghan National Army here and help prepare them for
taking ownership of all the buildings and facilities on their base camp.
I have three people on my team and every day we go over to the Afghan
base and advise and assist the Facility Engineers. We're helping teach
them important trade skills like how to be an electrician, plumber,
carpenter, mason, welder, generator technician, as well as management.
These skills are necessary for them to be self-sufficient in the future
when the Coalition Forces withdraw from Afghanistan and the Afghan Army
is responsible for taking care of themselves.
Please let everyone at Operation Care Package know how great they are
for their support. Thank you so much, and take care.

I would like to thank you for the box I received today!!! It is such a joy to get these boxes!!!
Thank you everyone for your support!!!
Jason
190th

Debbie and the OCP Gang,
I would like to personally thank you for your generous donations. Your time and dedication has reminded us that what we do is not forgotten and that we are remembered so far away from home. The faces of my shipmate light up when mail arrives. Your support for what we do is appreciated.
If you ever make it out to San Diego when we get back, please contact me and I can arrange for a personal tour of our ship. If there is anything we can do for you as well, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate. Again thank you for your prayers and good wishes. We need them.
Sincerely,
Fire Controlman First Class,
Goeffrey

OCP Gang,
I just wanted to take the time to say thank you for the continued support. These care packages serve multiple purposes; besides giving us the necessities we need to continue to fight the global war on terror, it also serves as morale boosters for junior and senior servicemen and women. To know that we have the support from family members, friends and supporters such as yourself make it all worth it.
I personally appreciate what you do for us and for your country.
Semper Fidelis!
Captain ***
I attached a few pictures.

I just wanted to write and thank everyone for everything you do for us over here. I think the most important thing you provide us is the knowledge that we have such strong supporters who recognize all that we do over here. We can tell by the letters and the careful thought you put into the care packages we receive.
Thanks again from all the Marines and other service members serving overseas.
Semper Fi,
SSgt ********

I just want to say THANK You and ALL the volunteers
for the care packages and the wonderful letters. This team here and
I work on a Koreans base here in Afghanistan and
they loved the goodies I passed down to them also.
I had a good tour, met
a lot of new friends, and ate some different kind of Korean food, some
good, some I don't even want to talk about. Again the packages are a God
sent to us in the field - especially when we start missing family and
friends, the packages sure make our day.
God Bless you and your team and
anyone I missed that we all said thank you.
Sincerely Kreg USACE
Army Corps of Engineers.

Debbie,
You honestly keep getting more and more awesome.
The packages that you send keep getting better and better.
This package kicks ass.
Everything from the snack packs, to the football bowls was great.
The PATS Towel was funny.
The Fat Head football stickers were funny.
The best was the 'Shit Happens' flag.
This made the entire room laugh.
I am pretty sure this will be our motto until we finally leave Afghanistan in May.
Thanks for being so cool and thanks for supporting us while we are here.
Take care,
Derek

I would like to say thank you for the package that you sent me and my
troops. We will enjoy everything that you all sent us.
I am originally from Rockford, Il. I am 39 yrs old and I am married and have 3 kids. I
am planning on being back in the states in August, not for sure if I will
make to Joliet then, but thank you for asking. I been in the military for
16yrs now and I am retiring in less than 4yrs. In my spare time when
they are on I like watching the fighting ILLI, and I am a big Chicago
BEARS and CUBS a fan.
JAMES
HURRICANES LEAD THE WAY!!!!!!!

Dear OCP Volunteers,
All I have to say is, Thank you.... You may already know this but a soldier getting any sort of package be from whomever, is one of the nicest things that we have to look forward to out here. I thank you for you kindness, generosity, and time that you all put into this. I do plan on writing the two third graders from Frankfort when time permits just so you know. :0) I really needed the socks because some of the nights here lately have been getting pretty cold, just like back in Illinois. I'm originally from Peotone, IL and when I saw that the Joilet OCP sent me a package I have to say I got excited because it was so close to home. Well, it's almost been a month and a half here so time is starting to go by a quick as it can. I can't wait for these next 8 months to finish up!
Once again Thank you, and God Bless.
Sincerely,
Greg USN

Afghanistan, first snow - 11/2011

Hello,
I received the package from you yesterday. It's really something for me. I don't have any families nor friends left behind in states. So nobody sends me anything. That is my first care package I recieved in my deployment. It's mean a lot for me. I really appreciate to you guys. I'm hoping a lot of letters also. I don't care what is in the package. Now I feel like I have a family back in the states. Thank you again.
Sincerely, Ko Ko

Hi,
My name is Robb. Thank you guys for the awesome gift boxes. Everything you sent made dozens of guys happy. We received them on xmas eve. It was a great surprise. Sorry it took so long to respond. We've been pretty busy lately. I wish I could've wrote you guys, but we have limited access to mail. I hope some email and photographs of the platoon you've made happy will suffice for now.
We are a group of 9 soldiers stationed in western Afghanistan. The fob is named shindand and is near the Iranian border. We live in tents, we eat in tents and we use porta-johns for our business. I imagine that you are aware of these things, because chances are you have family and friends that have been through this kinda stuff.
What you do for guys like us is rarely recognized, so I just want you to know that YOU GUYS ******* ROCK!. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Robb

I am Cpl ****, USMC. Today our platoon received Christmas stockings filled with goodies. I wanted to thank you personally for the things you sent. To take the time out of your lives to prepare a gift for a stranger is a very unselfish and commendable act. May God bless you for thinking of others during the holidays. My Marines and I appreciate you for it. Some of us(including myself) have children and spouses that we could not share the holidays with. My wife(Navy Dental Tech) at the moment is due on January 27 with our 2nd baby girl. It's rough without them but it's something we volunteer to do. So again, thank you for lifting our spirits with your thoughts and gifts. I wish you a happy New Year and may you spend it with those you love.
Semper Fidelis,
Cpl *****

Dear Operation Care Packages,
I wanted to personally thank you for the Christmas cards and
care packages you sent to us. They have been distributed during our
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day service. It warms our hearts to know
that there are many others back home who care for and love our Soldiers
as much as we do. There are now well over 900 Soldiers in the area that
I cover and they have all benefited from your program.
CH Paul

Hi,
My name is David and I received a care package from your organization for Christmas. It was great. I put the decorations up, shared the goodies and saved the present until Christmas morning and opened it with my family on Skype as they were opening their presents. It was very appreciated.
I also read all the cards and letters and thank you letters. It makes me feel good because you are from Joliet. I lived there for 10 years from 1988-1998. My mother lives in Mokena, I went to Lincoln-Way high school, my kids went to grade school in Joliet. I left for a job in Sterling,Il and still miss every day my old neighbors, the food and the area.
Again, thanks for making my Christmas a little better.
Dave

I wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas. I attached the pic my team
took. I am the one wearing the green antlers. Things are going well over
here. I will be going on leave soon for my eldest son, Brandon,
Birthday. Thank you so much for all of the support you have provided to
my team and I, through letters and care packages, I cannot thank you
enough.
Justin

A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the contents of the care package I received today. Smiles were shared around my room as I distributed its contents among my brothers in arms. We are all pretty much safe over here.
I'm sure you all would be interested to know that we are in Kosovo of all places on a mission called 'k for 15' you can you tube some videos or search news and read up on whats going on over here if you are unfamiliar with the serbia/ kosovo entanglement. However the amenities we find back at base are hard to come by out on missions. Simple things like plumbing, toilets sinks and showers and hot meals are a nonentity for a couple weeks at a time. The snacks pack easily in a ruck and babywipes replace a shower of any fashion. Here at base we come back for a week to refit and shower, hit the gym, receive mail and packages, internet, and enjoy a hot meal.
Luckily, we will be at base for Christmas so we are all thankful for that.

I would like to thank you for sending the packages to the guys. Many said it was the only package they have gotten..so it really boosted their spirits. Again Thank You!!

Greetings!
The Soldiers in my company (about 130) just received their care packages
and are ecstatic! Thanks so much for what you do for us! Have a great
Christmas and New Years!
STEVEN D.******
1LT, TC

All,
I wanted to thank you so much for all the care packages you sent. They
arrived just in time for me to play "secret" Santa. The stockings and
snowman soup were a very clever idea, and a big hit with everyone. Was
nice to see a smile on everyone's face as I handed out items. You are a
very considerate group of people who support us after so many years,
which makes what we do have purpose. I'm sorry if I missed an email
address off of the letters you sent. Had trouble reading a couple even
with my bifocals on.
Right about now I think all of us could use one of your "little attitude
adjustment" drinks as well.
Once again thank you so much! Hope all of you have a wonderful Holiday
season.
MAJ *****

Good Morning,
My name is PFC Jason. I recieved a care package from your orginization 2 days ago. I was quite supprised to find all the wonderful goodies and cards. What i noticed was all the love that was put in the box. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing what you do for us out here in the sand box. It means alot to us. For some of us that will be all we get for the holidays, it was more than i could ask for. I wish I had more time to write, but time is pressing at the moment. I would like if you could do me a favor and thank all the wonderful people that work with you and help put everything together. From one Hero to another, Thank you so very very much. Happy Holidays!!

All,
Good morning from Afghanistan! I just want to say thank you for all that you do. I received a care packagelast night which caught me by surprise. I wasn't expecting anything, and it always makes your day that much better when you receive mail. I wish I had the opportunity to personelly shake the hand of each and every one of you for taking the time out of your day and sending out "goodies" to complete strangers.
God bless you all.

Dear OCP Volunteers,
Hello, my name is Sergeant C..... Im in the United States Army deployed in Afghanistan. im 23 years old and stationed in Alaska. In the Army im called a Flight Engineer on a CH-47 Helicopter. Fancy for me being the guy in the back of the helicopter that gets to fly around. (you might want to google Chinooks if your not familiar) First off, my disclaimer.. Im from Kentucky so my grammar sucks, and im going to start typing like it because i dont like being proper :). just being honest. Ok, so i wanted to thank each and every volunteer, i read your letters and cards and was very grateful of what you have all done. to the people at walgreens supporting us by buying a candy bar for a soldier, to make sure he's still fat overseas! joking. to the kids in highschool taking their time out of your busy early lives to support us. Its because of people like you, like everyone in your group/organization that gives us the willingness to do our jobs. the sacrifices i make in my life to be here, is all worth it when i think about people like you. I see your from the Chicago area if im correct? if so its sad its a little far away from home because i would like to come and visit places that support us to give thanks in a more proper way. But thank you very much for all the efforts you do. Your sacrifices help each and every one of us and gives us good motivation. Merry Christmas to all of you, i hope you have a good one.
One of your Soldiers - Corbin